Southern Research's long-awaited opening Station 41 Biotechnology Incubator in Birmingham earlier this week.

The incubator, which provides office space, laboratory space, shared laboratory equipment, and growth support for biotech startups, is one of four programs that will make up the organization's new Station 41 biotech commercialization hub. .

Dr. Josh Carpenter, CEO of Southern Research, said: “Birmingham has historically lacked available commercial wet lab space, resulting in businesses and jobs being lost to other markets.” Stated.

“With this incubator, we are beginning to address this need. Under the same roof, we are also providing early-stage biotech and pharmaceutical companies access to our renowned drug discovery and development capabilities here at Southern Research. We offer unique access to

UAB President Ray L. Watts believes the university will play an important role in the new incubator and that Station 41 will help make Birmingham a biotechnology center for the entire region.

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“The opening of Station 41 represents another major step forward in making Birmingham a leading biotechnology commercialization center in the South East,” Mr Watts said. “Here we will foster local innovation and entrepreneurship, attract new business and talent to the region, and help make Birmingham and Alabama even more competitive in the 21st century global economy.”

Gaurav Mehta, CEO of Alveolus Bio, one of the businesses in the incubator, said his company is working to revolutionize treatments for chronic infectious lung diseases.

“With our partnership with Southern Research’s Station 41 incubator, we are poised for success. We are grateful to be part of Birmingham’s growing and promising life sciences ecosystem. I’m excited,” he said.

Adjuvax is a startup focused on the early development of a first-generation vaccine, made possible by a new vaccine compound discovered in the lab of UAB chemistry professor Pengfei Wang.

“Station 41 incubator is an ideal location for Adjuvax as it features well-designed lab space, shared facilities, and valuable on-site services that are important to startups,” said Wang. “The convenient location of the Station 41 incubator on Southern Research’s campus will also help Ajuvax establish further collaborations with Southern Research in vaccine development.”

Related: Southern Research secures $20 million for clinical trials, hires new medical director

Construction company Brasfield & Glory built this place.

“Our team is passionate about building projects that benefit the communities in which we live and work, and Southern Research is taking it one step further,” said Regional Deputy Brasfield & Gorey. said Robbie Hayes, President and Division Manager.

“Southern Research’s work is impacting the world as it develops world-class solutions that address modern health threats. Southern Research is committed to providing space for biotech entrepreneurs. , creating opportunities for others and further developing the biotech ecosystem in our city and state.

“We are excited to build out this important lab space.”

The incubator is located in a newly renovated space on Southern Research's campus on Birmingham's Southside and has space for 12 companies. We are seeking companies involved in the treatment and diagnosis of disease, particularly those related to Southern Research's core focus areas of cancer, infectious diseases, and chronic diseases.

So far, four companies have moved into the space, and incubator leaders expect it to be filled by the end of the year.

Austin Shipley is a staff writer at Yellowhammer News.