St. Louis, Missouri, USA
March 8, 2012
Today, the Bio-Research and Development Growth Park (BRDG Park, pronounced “bridge”) at the Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis welcomed two new companies to its diverse science community. Clean energy- focused Akermin and genomics service firm, MOgene LC, have both chosen to move their operations to BRDG Park, where they will be situated in the national and international center of plant and life sciences. In the last year, eight new companies have moved to BRDG Park creating a vibrant knowledge-based community.
Akermin puts enzymes to work for low-cost, energy-efficient CO2 separation & carbon capture
Akermin is developing the lowest-cost, most energy efficient system for carbon dioxide (CO2) separation and carbon capture which, unlike today’s approaches, incorporates biological catalysts (i.e. enzymes) rather than expensive, operationally-difficult and environmentally “unfriendly” chemical promoters. Its proprietary enzyme stabilization and delivery system is based on a polymer coating approach that encapsulates the enzyme allowing it to work as a catalyst effectively over extended periods in environments in which it wouldn’t normally survive.
The first clean energy company to join the already diverse BRDG Park community, Akermin is well supported by the venture capital and energy industry, and is transitioning from laboratory research to scaled-up field testing with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Initial commercial sales are expected in 2015, targeting multi-billion dollar markets for CO2 separation including natural gas processing, fertilizer production, gasification and industrial hydrogen production.
The new 11,693 square foot space at BRDG Park provides Akermin’s 23 employees with state-of-the-art, customizable lab and office space with room for future growth. Additionally, the Park offers instant access to a community of investment, venture capital, intellectual property, technology and plant and life science experts available to support the Company at all stages of growth.
“One of the main reasons we chose BRDG Park was its collaborative and supportive environment, critical for the commercial success of technology development companies like ours,” said Barry Blackwell, Akermin president and CEO. “BRDG Park’s management and its diverse web of tenants readily at hand provide the perfect ecosystem for us.”
To find out more about Akermin, visit www.Akermin.com.
MOgene provides genomic solutions for agriculture, food and industrial markets
MOgene LC, founded in 2004, has been building its business rapidly and is ready to make the move to a bigger, customized space at BRDG Park. Having already established a solid reputation as a genomics service provider, MOgene’s primary objectives are to provide cutting edge, cost effective and insightful genomic solutions to the agricultural, pharmaceutical, food and industrial markets, and in building green businesses in the energy and chemical industries through its subsidiary, MOgene Green Chemical.
MOgene predicts growth within the company and in the genomics industry, and is already planning to hire several new employees within the next six months. The custom MOgene facility at BRDG Park will provide the perfect space and resources to promote the company’s growth.
“Our 5,000 square foot facility at BRDG Park has been customized to support our company’s needs, with future growth in mind,” said Shaukat Rangwala, MOgene senior vice president of operations. “BRDG Park’s management team is also steeped in the business of building life science companies like ours. Their experience, combined with BRDG Park’s unique resources and diverse list of tenants that we are eager to work with, provides the perfect springboard for our company’s growth.”
To learn more about Mogene, visit www.MOgene.com.
BRDG Park tenants creating unique collaborative environment
With the addition of these two companies, BRDG Park’s Building I is now more than 80 percent occupied. BRDG Park President Sam Fiorello said that “BRDG Park’s combination of state-of-the-art facilities, a supportive network of diverse tenants and an exceptional relationship with the Danforth Plant Science Center are a few of the attributes that have attracted companies like Akermin and MOgene to our park.” Since opening in June 2009, BRDG Park has welcomed some of the most innovative companies in the plant and life science industries and the list of tenants continues to grow at a rapid pace. The addition of both Akermin and MOgene demonstrates the positive momentum BRDG Park is experiencing.
“We have welcomed eight new tenants to our community since January of 2011,” Fiorello said. “Our tenants have developed a wonderful sense of community that has turned into a sort of ecosystem that provides them with opportunities they wouldn’t have anywhere else.”
BRDG Park resources include buildings containing wet laboratory and office space custom-designed for plant and life sciences companies, as well as the intellectual capital of Danforth Science Center scientists to discuss research and its applications. Key on-site partnerships also provide important resources, such as Saint Louis Community College, which has an on-campus program for technical workforce development and training, creating unique and innovative opportunities for collaborations between academia and industry. BRDG Park also plays host to a variety of tenants that work together to help companies at all stages of the growth process succeed. With IP attorneys, venture capitalists and management consulting services, all the resources a company needs to develop are within reach at BRDG Park.
About BRDG Park at the Danforth Center
Bio-Research & Development Growth (BRDG) Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center helps life sciences companies bridge research, resources and relationships to achieve commercial success. In addition to providing world-class wet laboratories, office space and a prominent incubator, BRDG Park’s location on the Danforth Center’s campus facilitates access to the intellectual capital of top scientists, as well as to greenhouse, growth chambers, microscopy and proteomics facilities and other vital resources. Located in suburban St. Louis County, Missouri, BRDG Park is being developed by Wexford Science+Technology LLC, a privately held real estate developer and investment company that has developed eight major research parks nationwide. More information is available at www.BRDG-Park.com.
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