Category: News

Southern Research awards biotech funds, bringing new jobs and business to Alabama

Posted on June 28, 2024

June 27, 2024, Birmingham, Ala – Southern Research has awarded more than $2.7 million in funds to eight biotech companies through a fund established as a result of the Innovate Alabama Tax Credit.

The investments through Southern Research’s Therapeutics Development Fund are expected to add more than two dozen high-paying jobs in Alabama as well as support the efforts of dozens more scientists. Beneficiaries include two companies headquartered out of state that have committed to move to Alabama.

“The Therapeutics Development Fund is playing a critical role in our effort to enhance the biotech industry in Alabama by supporting innovators who are already here and those who are willing to move here,” said Josh Carpenter, Ph.D., CEO of Southern Research “We are excited to leverage our 80 years of experience and expertise to support startups who want to advance their programs in Birmingham’s rich biotechnology ecosystem.”

In addition to launching the Therapeutics Development Fund, Southern Research has opened its Station 41 incubator and accelerator spaces to support biotech startups, is building a new state-of-the-art building to expand research space, and is working closely with local partners to develop the new Birmingham Biomedical Innovation Corridor on the site of the former Southtown Court housing community.

The Therapeutics Development Fund is designed to attract biotech firms to Alabama and connect in-state startup companies with resources they need to stay in Alabama, including wet lab space. Southern Research ultimately expects the fund to create 139 biotech jobs, support almost 700 other jobs, and create $9 million in economic impact for Alabama.

Initial awardees for the Therapeutics Development Fund:

Yuva Biosciences (Birmingham):

Yuva Biosciences is addressing the root cause of aging – mitochondrial dysfunction. It is a biotech spinout of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

SCORE Pharmaceuticals (Huntsville and Birmingham)

SCORE Pharmaceuticals is an early-stage biologics company focused immuno-oncology therapeutics with a proprietary patent-pending platform called CoreXTM which allows the transformation of existing antibody therapies into more potent and targeted antibody therapeutics.

Southern Biological Solutions (Birmingham)

Southern Biological Solutions is a life sciences and biotechnology company focusing on the creation and development of anti-microbial biologic therapies for wound healing and the prevention of infections in wounds in people and animals. It will be located in the Southern Research Station 41 incubator.

Celestia Diagnostics (Birmingham)

Celestia Diagnostics is focused on developing diagnostics for long Covid-19 infection and for latent virus infection in general. The company moved to Birmingham from Austin, Texas, as one of three initial members of Southern Research’s Station 41 incubator.

DomainOne (Virtual company)

DomainOne is developing small molecule therapeutics for systemic sclerosis (scleroderma); however, the therapy is also viable for cancer and for fibrosis in general. The company is a new startup company launched by Ohio-based Orange Grove Bio, seeded with technology from Southern Research and UAB. It has a location in the Southern Research Station 41 incubator.

CorriXR Therapeutics (Virtual company)

CorriXR Therapeutics is a new startup company that owns patents associated with gene editing technology geared to cancer treatment. It has a location in the Southern Research Station 41 incubator.

Diamond Therapeutics (Canadian company with Birmingham subsidiary)

Diamond Therapeutics is an early-stage therapeutics development company focused on developing novel drugs for mental health conditions. It is located in Canada but has created a new U.S. subsidiary and is registered in Alabama.

Metaclipse Therapeutics (Atlanta company with plans for Birmingham location)

Metaclipse Therapeutics is an early-stage biotechnology and therapeutics development company focused on next-generation cancer immunotherapies and novel vaccines for infectious disease. Its personalized cancer immunotherapy platform is called MembrexTM and its vaccine technology is called VaxRexTM. The company is located in Atlanta; however, it has registered in the State of Alabama and will be located in Southern Research.

Southern Research received nearly $3 million via the Innovate Alabama Tax Credit to launch its Therapeutics Development Fund. A second tranche of more than $3 million will be deployed later in the year to support additional existing companies and new ventures in 2024 into 2025. The Innovate Alabama Tax Credit was included in Gov. Kay Ivey’s signature economic development legislation in 2023, “The Game Plan,” which included an enhanced arsenal of economic development incentives to support innovation.

“I continue to be encouraged by the success of the Innovate Alabama Tax Credit program,” said Innovate Alabama CEO Cynthia Crutchfield. “Through this program, we can continue to serve the innovative small businesses of Alabama and show that our state is open for business to other such companies looking to relocate. We are dedicated to working with governmental leaders to create a ripe ecosystem for tech accelerators and businesses to thrive.”

State Finance Director Bill Poole, who is chair of Innovate Alabama’s board of directors, added:  “Innovate Alabama’s mission is to spur job creation in knowledge-based jobs throughout the state. These investments continue to lay the groundwork for Alabama’s economic future.”

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About Southern Research: Founded in Birmingham in 1941, Southern Research is a non-profit scientific research organization that employs 200 scientists and professional staff. In its 83-year legacy of moving science, the organization has helped shape modern cancer treatment practices, including developing seven FDA-approved cancer drugs and testing more than half of active chemotherapies in the United States. Southern Research conducted more than $30 million in coronavirus research since 2020. The organization is the highest NIH-funded non-academic research centers in Alabama and has a $220 million annual economic impact. Visit southernresearch.org for more information.

About Innovate Alabama: Innovate Alabama is Alabama’s first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology and innovation with a mission to help innovators grow roots here in Alabama. Innovate Alabama was established to implement the initiatives and recommendations set forth in the Alabama Innovation Commission’s report, including smart policy solutions that will create a more resilient, inclusive and robust economy to remain competitive in a 21st-century world. With founding CEO Cynthia Crutchfield leading the charge, Innovate Alabama is also made up of a board of 11 innovation leaders appointed by Gov. Ivey, collaborating across sectors to advance industries, drive technology and facilitate an environment where innovation and entrepreneurship thrive. Learn more about Innovate Alabama at www.innovatealabama.org.

Southern Research Selects Chief Operating Officer

Posted on May 9, 2024

May 8, 2024 Birmingham, Ala. – Harry C. Ledebur, Jr., Ph.D., is joining Southern Research as Chief Operating Officer, bringing to the role more than 25 years of experience across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and contract-research industry.

In his new position at Southern Research, Dr. Ledebur will lead the preclinical drug discovery and development business — the stage of research when potential new treatments are vetted for effectiveness and safety before being tested on people.

“Harry’s operational experience and deep industry knowledge will be a differentiating asset for Southern Research,” said Josh Carpenter, Ph.D., the CEO of Southern Research. “He offers a compelling vision and energy for capitalizing on our historic strengths to better serve our clients in a fast-changing biotech market. Harry can take what we do to a whole new level.”

Dr. Ledebur’s career has centered on the discovery, characterization, and development of novel therapeutics. He recently held executive positions in the contract research industry serving as Vice President and General Manager of Contract Research Organization Operations at AmplifyBio and Vice President of Life Sciences Research The Battelle Memorial Institute. He has also held key leadership positions at several biotech companies including Axonia Medical, NanoMed Pharmaceuticals, Chromos Molecular Systems, and Caprion Pharmaceuticals.

Dr. Ledebur earned his B.S. in Biochemistry from The Ohio State University and his Ph.D in Molecular and Cell Biology from Pennsylvania State University.

“We look forward to bringing Harry onboard to align our business with the best opportunities for the future, streamline our operations, and grow our partnerships,” Carpenter said.

Dr. Ledebur said he is excited to join Southern Research and be a part of Birmingham’s future to become a Southeastern biotech hub. “Southern Research has a long history of drug discovery and remains on the cutting edge of science,” Dr. Ledebur said. “It’s a great time to be a part of this team, working together to build and expand our business to create a thriving space for the advancement of transforming medicines and the improvement of human health”.

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About Southern Research: Founded in Birmingham in 1941, Southern Research is a non-profit scientific research organization. In its 80-year legacy of moving science, the organization has helped shape modern cancer treatment practices, including developing seven FDA-approved cancer drugs and testing more than half of active chemotherapies in the United States. Southern Research has conducted more than $30 million in coronavirus research since 2020, including collaborations on a COVID-19 vaccine currently in clinical trials, conducting thousands of PCR tests and refining the underlying chemistry of critical treatments. The organization is among the highest NIH-funded non-academic research centers in Alabama and has a $220 million annual economic impact. Visit southernresearch.org for more information.

Southern Research Awarded Grant to Develop Novel Antidotes for Arsenical Poisoning

Posted on April 11, 2024

Project Aims to Deliver Safer and More Effective Treatments for Cutaneous Injuries

Southern Research is pleased to announce the award of a UG3/UH3 grant from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This prestigious grant will support the development of novel small molecule inhibitors as anti-inflammatory agents and antidotes for arsenical poisoning.

Arsenicals are toxic compounds historically used in medicine and agriculture. Despite being banned in many countries, accidental and intentional exposure to arsenicals remains a significant health concern. Current treatments for arsenical poisoning are often ineffective and can cause harmful side effects.

Southern Research Taking on the Challenge

This research project, led by Dr. Corinne Augelli-Szafran, VP of Scientific Platforms at Southern Research in collaboration with Dr. Mohammed Athar at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, aims to address this critical need by developing a new class of antidotes. The project focuses on creating hybrid inhibitors targeting specific cellular pathways involved in arsenical-induced inflammation. These pathways include:

  • BRD4: Bromodomain-containing protein 4, which plays a role in inflammatory gene expression.
  • RIPK3: Receptor-interacting protein kinase 3, a key regulator of cell death and inflammation.
  • IL6: Interleukin-6, a pro-inflammatory cytokine.

A Multi-Phased Approach

The research team will utilize a comprehensive approach, combining:

  • Molecular modeling: To design and optimize novel small molecule inhibitors.
  • In vitro studies: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the candidate inhibitors in cell culture models.
  • In vivo studies: To assess the effectiveness of the most promising candidates in animal models.

A Preclinical Candidate for Treatment

The ultimate goal of this project is to identify a preclinical candidate for treating the cutaneous (skin) injuries associated with arsenical poisoning. This candidate will pave the way for further development and clinical trials, leading to the creation of safer and more effective antidotes for patients suffering from arsenical exposure.

Southern Research’s Commitment to Public Health

“We are honored to receive this grant from NIAMS,” said Dr. Corinne Augelli-Szafran, VP of Scientific Platforms. “This funding will allow us to advance our research on novel antidotes for arsenical poisoning. We are committed to developing solutions that improve public health and patient outcomes.”

Radyus Research Forges Strategic Partnership with Southern Research to Propel Life Sciences Commercialization

Posted on March 13, 2024

Radyus Research, a global drug development organization from Atlanta, Georgia, is excited to announce a pivotal strategic partnership with Southern Research, a Birmingham-based contract research organization with more than 80 years of experience in drug discovery and development. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the advancement of life sciences commercialization in the Southeast region. The collaboration aims to leverage the strengths of both organizations to offer a comprehensive umbrella offering to clients, with fully integrated preclinical services.

By combining Southern Research’s longstanding reputation for cutting-edge laboratory research with Radyus Research’s innovative planning and project management approaches, this alliance will provide a one-stop solution for clients seeking to navigate the complexities of life sciences commercialization.

“We are very excited to continue creating synergy within the Southeast’s biotech community,” said Josh Carpenter, CEO at Southern Research. “The team at Radyus Research brings unique expertise that complements our own. Together, we will work closely to help our partners move their therapeutics forward with a compelling suite of combined services.”

This partnership’s primary goal is to foster a thriving ecosystem for life sciences companies in the region. By offering a comprehensive array of services under one roof, clients can benefit from seamless integration of preclinical services, including but not limited to drug discovery, development, clinical, regulatory, and manufacturing support.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Southern Research in this strategic partnership,” said Marta New, CEO at Radyus Research. “Our combined expertise will not only enhance the services we offer but will also create new opportunities for life sciences companies to flourish in our region. This partnership underscores our commitment to driving innovation and accelerating the journey from concept to market.”

Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO at Georgia Bio, is also excited about this joint regional ecosystem effort: “The Southeast region is rapidly advancing in terms of startups with game-changing and impactful technology innovations. Effective partnerships like this between Radyus Research and Southern Research are critical to the growing landscape in the region and will demonstrate innovative ways for collaboration.”

Clients can expect a seamless experience with access to a full spectrum of consulting, project management, and laboratory testing services tailored to meet their unique needs in drug development. From initial research and development to preclinical toxicology testing and regulatory approval, the collaborative efforts of Southern Research and Radyus Research will provide comprehensive support every step of the way.

About Radyus Research

Radyus Research is a drug development group dedicated to accelerating clients’ drug programs into the clinic. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, Radyus Research offers a range of services aimed at providing comprehensive drug development planning and project management. Acting as an operating R&D partner to biotech companies, academic startups, and seed venture capital firms, we manage their programs through IND-enabling studies, IND application, and initiation of first in human trials. Our extensive expertise spans various modalities in immunology, oncology, infectious diseases, metabolic diseases, and neurosciences. We are based in Atlanta, Georgia, serving clients across the globe in over 12 countries.

Coming soon to a doctor’s office near you: Access to cutting-edge research and care

Posted on March 17, 2023

By Josh Carpenter, Ph.D.

Growing up in North Alabama, I remember watching movie trailers with excitement. They always ended with a deep voice that said, “opening soon in select theaters near you.” As it turns out, those openings were never “near me” since my local theater was not one of those “select theaters.”  Those movies always premiered in big cities, often on the coasts. Most movies didn’t trickle to the theaters in Florence, Alabama, for another six or nine months. By then, I had forgotten about the trailer.

While kids (and adults) no longer have to wait for movies based on their zip code (thank you, Netflix), they are waiting for something far more important: the best proven medical treatment. Waiting on a movie is an inconvenience. Waiting on the best medical option could be the difference between life and death.

Most scientific experts estimate that it takes an average of 17 years for proven biomedical research to be implemented in clinical practice. That means it takes nearly two decades from when there is evidence of a discovery until it actually benefits patients.

For context, 17 years ago, Sen. Tommy Tuberville was still coaching Auburn, and Nick Saban was coaching the Miami Dolphins. And 17 years ago, Twitter was a brand-new platform for football fans to complain about coaching decisions and play Monday-morning quarterback.

Closing that 17-year research gap and compressing the related lag time from drug discovery to drug deployment are critical objectives of translational research – the kind of work we do at Southern Research.

Since its founding 81 years ago as an Alabama-based nonprofit, Southern Research has executed every step in the long and winding process between the point when a potential medicine is identified in a test tube and when it becomes a drug that enters the human body. Throughout our history, our process has led to 20 new drugs developed at Southern Research, and we’ve assisted hundreds more of our commercial clients in drug development throughout the world—including 50% of all chemotherapies on the market. In fact, we have 20 drugs in the pipeline of development now, many of which are developed in partnership with UAB researchers.

At Southern Research, we believe it is our duty to make the best research and best medical treatments available to our friends and neighbors in Alabama and throughout the Deep South—and, we don’t think they should have to wait 17 years for it.

This sense of duty is why we are embarking on an ambitious new project to build a clinical trials hub that will serve as a unique vehicle to support patients with cutting-edge care and give primary care physicians access to the newest tools in medicine.

This is precision medicine, and we know that it works. Aided by genomic information, precision medicine helps doctors identify the right treatment for the right patient at the right time.

This kind of precision medicine is already happening today, but too few Alabamians are enjoying the benefits. Our Community Health Catalyst platform would enable more providers to bring the best medical care to people across Alabama by giving them information about clinical trials that would meet their unique healthcare needs.

As a non-profit with a proven track record in protecting highly classified data and a long history of biomedical research with hundreds of government and commercial clients, Southern Research is an ideal partner to develop a unique platform that link patients and their doctors to clinical trials.

Motivated to close the 17-year gap, three critical pillars guide the development of the Catalyst platform. First, patients should be in control of their care, and they should know all of their options. Likewise, we are placing the patient’s relationship with their primary care physician at the center of this project. Patients will be able to review their data with their physician and decide what courses of treatment may be best for them. Second, we will make sure patient data is secured and anonymized, and it will never be shared with a third party. Third, we will organize patient data to enable them to benefit from new treatments that could improve their quality of care and open up access to the best drugs on the market.

Not only will this Catalyst improve health outcomes for Alabamians, it will grow jobs and attract investment to our state. Clinical trials are a $50 billion industry now, and that number is expected to grow to $80 billion by 2030. Our project would help Alabama secure clinical trial investments, positioning us as a top-10 state in one of the fastest growing industries in America. We estimate our new platform by itself could add 1,600 new jobs throughout the state, add $145 million in annual economic impact, and support rural healthcare providers who participate with new sources of revenue.

With advances in technology, Alabamians no longer have to wait six to nine months to watch the best new movies. We should not have to wait 17 years to receive the best medical care for our friends and families.

 

Josh Carpenter, Ph.D. is president and CEO of Southern Research.

Southern Research launches Venture Studio

Posted on November 22, 2022

Southern Research has launched a Venture Studio to develop startups that will bring new therapeutic products to market. In conjunction with its partners, Southern Research has more than 20 drug programs currently in preclinical development. These programs hold enormous potential for patients in therapeutic areas such as cancer, infectious disease, neurological disease and others. The Venture Studio will compete for competitive sources of non-dilutive and equity funding from public and private sources to bridge from early-stage research to clinical development.

The Venture Studio Director Tayo Sanders II, Ph.D., will work closely with investigators at Southern Research to advance current drug programs. To enter the Venture Studio, programs will undergo a rigorous selection process that assesses scientific strength, commercial potential and regulatory considerations. The first cohort of Venture Studio spinouts was launched in November 2022, with fundraising to begin in November 2023.

Venture Studio Cohort I companies:

  • Litus therapeutics is advancing therapies that target a critical feature of many cancers: silenced tumor suppressor genes. Using a newly developed analog of clofarabine, a cancer drug product previously developed at Southern Research, the team behind Litus has shown it can correct epigenetic dysregulation in cancer cells and promote cancer cell death. Litus expects that these new therapies will be powerful tools in the fight against triple-negative breast cancer as well as other solid and liquid cancers.
  • Silanus Therapeutics is developing new therapies to disrupt protein-protein interactions responsible for cancer immune evasion. While antibody drugs have been developed to address this problem, these therapies are costly and complex to manufacture and suffer from poor tumor penetrance resulting in limited efficacy against solid tumors. Initial studies by the Silanus team using peptide and small molecule compounds have demonstrated promising antitumor activity against triple-negative breast cancer models.
  • Pratum Therapeutics is utilizing drugs that target the tumor microenvironment to improve treatment for a variety of cancers. Earlier work by the Pratum team in a colorectal cancer model suggests that priming the tumor microenvironment with targeted DNA damage alongside immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment results in significantly reduced tumor volume and regrowth compared to ICI treatment alone. Pratum anticipates its new therapies will not only lead to better outcomes for patients receiving ICI treatment but also expand the types of cancers that can be addressed.
  • Divum Therapeutics is developing a new class of drugs to treat moderate to severe chronic pain without the debilitating side effects associated with traditional opioid analgesics. Studies by the Divum team indicate that potent pain relief can be achieved while reducing tolerance, withdrawal and addiction liability. Divum hopes this promising work could play a significant role in combating the opioid crisis.

 

About Tayo Sanders, II, Ph.D.

Tayo Sanders II, Ph.D., has spent the last seven years working with investors and startups in the biotech and industrial technology space. Most recently, he led due diligence on more than 15 companies, totaling more than $130M in deployed capital as a senior member of the investment team at the Boston-based VC firm, Anzu Partners. Prior to this, Sanders led technical diligence on Anzu’s first investment, Axsun Technologies, which was acquired for an 8x return in Q1 2019. Sanders received a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and pursued a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.

Southern Research and Rhodium Scientific send bacteria to space to explore potential cancer treatments

Posted on November 7, 2022

Southern Research and Rhodium Scientific have partnered to send bacteria to space on a mission to find new hope for people with cancer.

When Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket launched this morning in Virginia, it was carrying 11 bacterial strains that will help the team study what has emerged as a promising approach to fight cancer.

“Southern Research has always been in the business of moving the boundaries of science,” said Josh Carpenter, Ph.D., president and CEO at Southern Research. “This is just the latest example of our team pushing the frontiers to expand our knowledge and find new ways to help people live longer, healthier lives.”

The project is a partnership with Rhodium Scientific, a woman-owned biotech company based in Houston, Texas, that conducts science in microgravity and specializes in finding ways to use discoveries made in space to develop solutions for life on earth.

“We are excited to partner with Southern Research and support its work in cancer research,” said Olivia G. Holzhaus, founder and CEO of Rhodium Scientific. “This project is a perfect fit for Rhodium Scientific’s bioprospecting program and is the first mission utilizing the cosmos to discover novel compounds of pharmaceutical interest.”

It’s the first time Southern Research’s cancer research team has collaborated with NASA-supported, commercial space researchers. As a result of the project, scientists at Southern Research will be able to explore what happens to bacteria in space and use that information to further explore the cancer-fighting properties of small protein fragments called peptides.

“We know that proteins grow differently in a low gravity environment,” said Rebecca Boohaker, Ph.D., director of oncology at Southern Research. “We are looking to see if there are enough differences that would allow us to develop novel cancer therapies.”

Peptides, which can be obtained from bacteria and other sources, have been shown to have potential in fighting cancer as well as infections. Research has focused on using peptides to trigger an immune response that helps patients battle cancer and also to reduce treatment resistance that plays a significant role in cancer deaths.

Rhodium’s science team will work with astronauts aboard the International Space Station to grow the 11 strains under microgravity conditions, and then return them to Southern Research to conduct the research on the bacteria grown in space, Boohaker said.

Southern Research worked with NASA for many years through its previous engineering division, which was sold earlier this year to Kratos, a national defense contractor. Boohaker said the experiments with bacteria give new life to that longstanding collaboration.

“It’s nice to have Southern Research still participate in NASA’s space mission,” she said.

Southern Research breaks ground on new biotech center and campus renovations

Posted on May 16, 2022

Birmingham, Ala. – Southern Research today broke ground on a flagship biotech center that will anchor the development of 200,000 square feet of new or renovated wet lab space for life sciences. The new facility, located on the corner of Richard Arrington Jr., Blvd., and Ninth Avenue South, will double the organization’s lab space for researching infectious diseases and greatly expand its work to develop new treatments for cancer and other serious illnesses.

The new center is expected to create 150 new jobs at Southern Research and to double the institution’s annual economic impact to $300 million a year.

“This project represents a major investment in the city of Birmingham and in the great work being done by our Southern Research team,” said Josh Carpenter, Ph.D., president and CEO of Southern Research. “It builds on our strengths and puts us in a position for dynamic growth in the future.”

The Alabama Legislature included $45 million for the Southern Research building in the state budget for 2023, marking the state government’s first-ever investment in the 80-year-old campus.

“This represented an opportunity to create high-paying jobs in Birmingham and to support one of the state’s most important industries,” Gov. Kay Ivey said. “Scientific and technical innovation is a major driver of Alabama’s economic growth, and Southern Research has long been a key player in making it happen.”

Construction alone will create more than 1,100 project-related jobs and generate more than $190 million in economic activity, Carpenter said.

In addition to expanding space for research on infectious diseases like COVID-19, the new facility will allow Southern Research to ramp up its efforts to target common diseases that have a profound impact on the well-being of Alabamians and communities.

In addition to this new facility, Southern Research plans to renovate much of its campus and build new space to advance genomic diagnostics work over the next few years.

The city of Birmingham and Jefferson County have each been asked to provide funding alongside Southern Research and the State of Alabama to help accelerate this capital investment. While the contributions have not been approved at the City or the County, officials on both sides of Linn Park expressed support for the expansion.

“This is a transformational moment for Southern Research and for Birmingham,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “As someone who benefited from a COVID-19 treatment developed with Southern Research’s experts, I am especially grateful to the scientists who work here and I’m proud to help them take their work to the next level.”

As Economic Development Committee Chair of the Jefferson County Commission, Steve Ammons called the Southern Research project yet another example of local leaders working across partisan and jurisdictional lines to benefit the entire Birmingham metro area.

“When we work together, we can do big things,” Commissioner Ammons said. “This expansion at Southern Research is an important project that will create economic ripples across this county and state.”

Ray Watts, MD, president of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and chair of the Southern Research board of directors, said the new facility will help fulfill his vision of creating a world-class biotech corridor that stretches from the UAB campus to Southern Research and Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham.

“Between UAB and Southern Research, we are working to ensure that Birmingham and Alabama become the biotech commercialization center of the Southeast,” Watts said. “This new facility will help us incubate new biotech entrepreneurs and attract top talent to this area. Southern Research and its vision for this center are intricately tied to the future success of Birmingham.”

Alongside the new construction, Southern Research has contracted Brasfield & Gorrie to help renovate more than 40,000 square feet of its existing campus facilities in Birmingham’s Southside. Investments include building out more vivarium space and launching a new clinical diagnostics lab.

Southern Research expands, diversifies board of directors

Posted on April 27, 2022

The Southern Research board of directors has expanded to 15 members, with new additions representing a diverse range of national expertise.

The new members were recently approved by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees and will join the current board in May 2022.

“Southern Research considers diversity of thought both a key asset and core value,” said Josh Carpenter, Ph.D., president and CEO of Southern Research. “We are pleased to welcome leadership that includes men and women whose varied perspectives will strengthen our organization and the science that defines our mission.”

New members include:

  • Regina Benjamin, MD, the 18thS. Surgeon General, founder and CEO of Bayou Clinic/Gulf States Health Policy Center in Bayou La Batre. As a graduate of UAB School of Medicine, is a national and international leader in medicine and public health. Benjamin is involved in venture capital, digital health and serves on corporate boards.
  • Mike Brock, partner at Kirkland & Ellis. Based in Washington, D.C., Brock has extensive legal experience representing companies in complex litigation, including successful representation of top pharmaceutical companies in product liability cases.
  • Bobbie Knight, president of Miles College. Knight is the first woman to serve in this role, after an almost 40-year career as an executive at Alabama Power Co. Knight also chairs the board of managers for the Birmingham Times Media Group.
  • Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, the C. Glenn Cobbs endowed chair and director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine. As an infectious disease specialist, Marrazzo is internationally recognized for her work in women’s health and as a national media spokesperson for managing COVID-19.
  • Scott Phelps, vice president of the Greene Group. Before joining Greene Group, Phelps had a successful legal career at Bradley Arant. He also serves on the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees.
  • Ken Simon, principal at Ken Simon Law. A former trial judge, Simon has wide-ranging legal experience including securities and municipal bond transactions to corporate compliance and arbitration.
  • Lee Styslinger, III, co-chair and CEO of Altec Inc. Styslinger is an active investor in healthcare start-ups, a member of the Business Roundtable, and serves on several boards and councils advising U.S. presidents on trade policy and workforce development.
  • Neel Varshney, MD, founding partner of Patient Square Capital. Based in the Bay Area, Varshney is a UAB graduate and trained as a physician before starting his business career and co-launching Patient Square Capital, a dedicated health care investment firm.
  • Selwyn Vickers, MD, CEO of UAB Health System and dean of UAB Heersink School of Medicine. Vickers is an internationally recognized pancreatic cancer surgeon, researcher and pioneer in health disparities research.

Current members of the Southern Research board include Chairman Ray Watts, MD, president of UAB; Finis St. John IV, chancellor of University of Alabama System; Mark Crosswhite, chairman, president and CEO of Alabama Power Co.; Ruffner Page, retired McWane Inc. president; Christopher Brown, Ph.D., vice president for research at UAB; and Jamey McMahon, chairman of Ligon Capital.

“This is an exciting time for Southern Research, and on behalf of all the board of directors, I am thrilled at the caliber of people who will help guide us into the future,” Watts said. “I know this group will build on Southern Research’s excellent history to create something truly of national significance.”

Building a castle for the 21st century, investing in the future of Birmingham

Posted on January 24, 2022

By Josh Carpenter, Ph.D.

The coronavirus pandemic revealed healthcare heroes in our midst. I am proud to work with many of them at Southern Research. Since the pandemic began, our scientists – who have been studying viruses like COVID-19 for many years – have worked nonstop to combat the virus.

Scientists at Southern Research have made substantial contributions in every realm of coronavirus response, from prevention, to testing, to treatment. In partnership with UAB, we helped refine Remdesivir, the first treatment approved for the virus. Collaborating with Tonix Pharmaceuticals, we helped develop a potential vaccine that is in clinical trials. These are just two of many projects that underscore our critical role during this public health crisis.

We now have an opportunity to expand this important part of our mission, both to embolden our work to combat COVID-19 and to prepare for the next threat that might endanger our communities, families and friends.

We are building a Center for Pandemic Resilience. The new facility will double our lab space to study infectious diseases like COVID-19 and enhance our capacity to address common diseases that have made the coronavirus outbreak particularly lethal to Alabamians. When completed in 2023, the new facility will support a growing biotech corridor that is already the lifeblood of Alabama’s economy.

Southern Research currently employs 300 scientists and professional staff, and generates $150 million in annual economic impact. Our new facility will create 125 new jobs at SR, indirectly support an additional 400 new jobs and double our economic impact to $300 million a year.

We are asking the state of Alabama to support this important project with $45 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. At less than 2% of the state’s ARPA allotment, there is no more appropriate or impactful way for Alabama to use this one-time federal money.

ARPA outlines several key objectives, all of which align with our plans: Investing in pandemic testing and treatments. Preparing for future threats. Spurring economic growth.

Southern Research is uniquely qualified to meet ARPA objectives, as we:

  • are the only scientific agency in Alabama whose employees directly contributed to treatment, testing and vaccine development for COVID-19
  • receive more National Institutes of Health funding than any other non-academic research center in Alabama
  • operate the state’s only High-Throughput Screening Center, which allows us to rapidly test new compounds to treat diseases and variants
  • are the only non-profit research center that is entirely self-sustaining through industry contracts, grants and intellectual property revenue

Throughout our 80-year history as one of Alabama’s largest non-profits, we have never asked the state to invest in our campus. This time is different. ARPA funds support projects that help communities respond to the pandemic and rebuild for the future. Our plan does both: it delivers a national center of excellence in fighting disease, while growing Alabama jobs.

As we emerge from one of our nation’s most challenging periods, we have received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a better future. By investing in Southern Research, our leaders can drive innovation and economic development in our state — and benefit Alabamians for generations to come.

 

Josh Carpenter, Ph.D., is president and CEO of Southern Research

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