Station 41: Southern Research's latest venture to boost biotech in Alabama

Southern Research officially opened its much anticipated Station 41 biotech incubator earlier this week in Birmingham.

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

“In the past, Birmingham has lost companies and jobs to other markets because we did not have available commercial wet lab space,” said Dr. 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.”

UAB President Ray L. Watts, whose university is playing a significant role in the new incubator, believes Station 41 will help to make Birmingham the biotech center of the entire region.

“Opening Station 41 marks another great stride in making Birmingham the premier biotech commercialization hub of the Southeast,” said 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.”

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

“Our partnership with Southern Research’s Station 41 incubator lines us up for success. We are thankful and excited to be part of Birmingham’s growing and promising life science ecosystem,” he said.

Adjuvax, a startup focused on the early-stage development of a generation of vaccines, was made possible by the novel vaccine compounds discovered at UAB in chemistry professor Pengfei Wang’s lab.

“The Station 41 incubator is an ideal place for Adjuvax because of its well-designed lab space, shared equipment, and valuable onsite services, which are crucial for startups,” Wang said. “The convenient location of the Station 41 incubator on the Southern Research campus will also help Adjuvax establish more collaborations with Southern Research in vaccine development.”

Construction firm Brasfield & Gorrie built the site.

“Our team is passionate about building projects that serve the communities where we live and work, and Southern Research takes that a step further,” said Brasfield & Gorrie Regional Vice President and Division Manager Robby Hayes.

“Southern Research’s efforts affect the world as they develop world-class solutions that address modern-day health threats. By providing space to biotech entrepreneurs, Southern Research is creating opportunity for others as well as further developing that biotech ecosystem in our city and state.

“We’re thrilled that we were able to construct this essential lab space.”

The incubator, located in a newly renovated space on Southern Research’s campus on Birmingham’s Southside, has space for 12 companies. It is looking for companies that are involved in treating and diagnosing diseases — especially those aligned with Southern Research’s core focus areas, including cancer, infectious diseases, and chronic diseases.

As of now, four companies have moved into the space and incubator leaders are expecting to fill it within the year.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.