A new startup incubator is up and running in Birmingham.
Southern Research marked the opening of its Station 41 biotech incubator Tuesday. The incubator is one of four programs that make up the newly launched Station 41 biotech commercialization hub. The incubator provides wet lab space and office space, shared lab equipment and services to support biotech startup growth. It is located in a newly renovated space on Southern Research’s campus on Birmingham’s Southside.
“In the past, Birmingham has lost companies and jobs to other markets because we did not have available commercial wet lab space,” said Josh Carpenter, CEO of Southern Research. “With this incubator, we are beginning to meet this need. Under the same roof, we are also providing early-stage biotech and pharma companies with unique access to our renowned drug discovery and development capabilities here at Southern Research.”
In addition to their own office and lab space, companies in the incubator have preferred access to Southern Research screening facilities. Southern Research’s Station 41 biotech commercialization hub also includes an accelerator, a venture studio and a therapeutics development fund.
“Opening Station 41 marks another great stride in making Birmingham the premier biotech commercialization hub of the Southeast,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts. “Here we will nurture local innovation and entrepreneurs, and attract new businesses and talent to our region, helping make Birmingham and Alabama all the more competitive in the 21st century global economy.”
The Station 41 programs are a cornerstone of efforts to expand biotech in Birmingham, which got a big boost last year with Birmingham’s designation as a Regional Tech Hub.
The incubator has space for 12 companies, and it is targeting companies involved in treating and diagnosing diseases — especially those aligned with Southern Research’s core focus areas, which include cancer, infectious diseases and chronic diseases.
Four companies have already moved in to the space, and the incubator leaders expect to fill it within the year. Some current member companies include Alveolus Bio and Adjuvax.
The contractor on the project was Brasfield & Gorrie.
