On August 12, the grand opening of a new biotechnology center was celebrated, marking a significant development for Southern Research. This facility is set to double the lab capacity of the organization, enhancing its capability to fight chronic diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases.
The center, valued at $98 million, represents a renewed commitment from Southern Research towards improving human health and tackling some of the most critical biomedical challenges currently faced.
Situated at the intersection of Richard Arlington Jr. Boulevard and Nine Avenue South, the center is anticipated to boost the biotechnology sector in Birmingham.
Ray L. Watts, UAB president and interim CEO of Southern Research, expressed excitement about the prospects this center offers. He noted that local, state, and federal support has been crucial to advance Birmingham’s biotechnology landscape.
Construction of the 150,000-square-foot facility began in 2022, with financial help from Birmingham, Jefferson County, and grants from the U.S. Economic Development Agency.
Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin remarked on the potential of biotech to transform cities, highlighting that such investments are key to ensuring a promising future for both the industry and the residents of Birmingham.
Notably, the Alabama Legislature allocated $45 million for the Southern Research Building within the 2023 state budget, marking the first major state investment in 80 years.
Senator Jabo Wagoner remarked that this kind of infrastructure is essential for attracting and retaining top talent in Alabama, ultimately fostering economic growth and developing life-saving medicines. The impact of this facility is expected to extend beyond state borders.
This addition to the campus is the first major one since 1987.
Drawing a parallel with the famous line from the film “Field of Dreams,” one speaker referred to the biotechnology center as a “dream field,” emphasizing its role as a crucial milestone for research and innovation.
The new center aims to expedite the development of treatments for pressing medical conditions, including emerging biological threats and chronic diseases. It will advance commercial drug candidates and strategic initiatives with U.S. government agencies to support public health and safety.
Jimmy Stevens, a Jefferson County Commissioner and cancer treatment survivor, shared a personal connection to the importance of this center, indicating that it represents not just infrastructure, but hope.
Bringing together top scientists, the biotechnology center focuses on creating new therapies, with advanced chemistry and screening capabilities that allow rapid testing of numerous drug candidates to identify promising solutions. It also houses Southern Research’s genomic research initiative, Catalyst, which provides patients with insights into their health risks and optimal treatment options. These combined efforts position the center as a leader in addressing urgent health and national security challenges.
While the Biotechnology Center was under construction, Southern Research also undertook renovations across the campus, creating innovative spaces to nurture biotechnology development. The construction phase alone generated over 124 project-related jobs and contributed to more than $80 million in economic activity.
Prime Minister Sid J. Trant of the University of Alabama System highlighted that investment in Southern Research reflects the university system’s growing role as an economic engine for the state, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing research, education, and patient care.
For over 80 years, research in the South has been a leader in scientific advancement, significantly contributing to the development of new therapies for various diseases, particularly in chemotherapy with seven FDA-approved cancer drugs that have shaped modern treatment protocols.
