Southern Research hosts grand opening of new biotech Center

To view photos and videos of the ribbon cutting and facility tour, click here

Birmingham, Ala. –  Southern Research today celebrated the grand opening of its state-of-the-art biotechnology center, a major milestone that doubles the organization’s lab capacity and significantly expands its ability to combat chronic illnesses, cancer and infectious diseases. This new facility reinforces Southern Research’s commitment to advancing human health and addressing some of the most pressing biomedical threats of our time.

The $98 million facility, located on the corner of Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard and Ninth Avenue South, is expected to stimulate growth in Birmingham’s biotech industry.

“Southern Research and the University of Alabama at Birmingham continue to partner in groundbreaking discoveries that impact lives throughout Alabama and beyond,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts, who is serving as interim CEO of Southern Research. “This new, world-class facility will accelerate those efforts dramatically, as we work together to become the biotech commercialization leader in the Southeast. We could not make this progress without local, state and federal support and appreciate their continued efforts to grow the biotech industry in Birmingham.”

Southern Research broke ground on the 150,000-square-foot building in 2022, and has received financial support from the State of Alabama, the City of Birmingham and Jefferson County, as well as a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

“This facility is the result of visionary leadership and strong public-private partnerships that are transforming the City of Birmingham,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “Biotech is critically important to the city, and with investments like this, we are charting an even brighter future for this industry and more importantly for the people who call Birmingham home.”

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

“This is the type of infrastructure that will help us recruit and retain the brightest minds in Alabama, drive more economic growth, and create more lifesaving drugs,” said state Sen. Jabo Waggoner. “What happens here will have an impact that goes far beyond our state’s borders.” 

The new building is the first major campus addition since 1987.

“Most of us know the famous line from the movie ‘Field of Dreams’ — ‘If you build it, they will come,’” said state Sen. Rodger Smitherman. “I believe this biotech center is our ‘field of dreams.’ It is a key milestone and landmark that will increase our footprint as a nationally renowned center for research and innovation.”  

The new facility will enable Southern Research to accelerate the development of therapies for high-impact diseases — from emerging biological threats to chronic conditions — advancing both commercial drug candidates and strategic programs with U.S. government partners in support of national health and security.

“As someone who recently completed cancer treatment, I have a newfound appreciation for Southern Research and its history as a true center of excellence in oncology research,” Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens said. “When I look at this building today, I see so much more than investment and infrastructure and even jobs. I see hope.”

The new biotech center will bring together leading scientists focused on developing novel therapies, supported by a high-throughput chemistry and screening facilities capable of rapidly synthesizing and testing thousands of drug candidates to find the most promising treatments. It will also be home to Southern Research’s new genomic research program, Catalyst, which empowers patients with insights into their individual health risks and optimal treatment paths. Together, these efforts position the center at the forefront of combating today’s most urgent health and national security threats.

As it constructed the biotech center, Southern Research worked on renovations across its campus and created new spaces to promote biotech innovation, including its Station 41 incubator. Construction alone created more than 124 project-related jobs and generated more than $80 million in economic activity.

“The investment at Southern Research is another reflection of the University of Alabama System’s mission to improve lives and our role as an economic engine for the whole state,” said the University of Alabama System Chancellor Sid J. Trant. “We are committed to serving Alabamians and are continually looking for opportunities to take research, education and patient care to an even higher level.”

For more than eight decades, Southern Research has been at the forefront of scientific innovation, playing a pivotal role in the discovery, development and testing of new therapies across a wide spectrum of diseases. Notably, Southern Research has been instrumental in advancing chemotherapy, contributing to the development of seven FDA-approved cancer drugs and shaping the modern foundation of cancer treatment. 

“This is a transformational moment for us, made possible by the support of the broader community and the outstanding reputation of our Southern Research team,” said Southern Research Chief Operating Officer Harry Ledebur, Ph.D. “We are building on the legacy of many dedicated scientists, and we’re thrilled to open a center that will both nurture today’s researchers and inspire the next generation of scientific breakthroughs.”

About Southern Research: Founded in Birmingham in 1941, Southern Research is a nonprofit scientific research organization that employs 200 scientists and professional staff. In its more than 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. Visit southernresearch.org for more information.