At its January 17 meeting, The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) awarded a $1M grant to the Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing (CBB) to expand biomanufacturing infrastructure in the state.

The CBB’s biomanufacturing facility provides contract bioprocessing services for clients from academia, governmental agencies, and companies associated with a variety of industry sectors. They offer professional expertise for the biomanufacturing of protein products of both research and commercial value.

“This project will benefit the state’s economy in multiple ways,” said Mark Arnold, Edwin B Green Professor in Laser Chemistry and director of the CBB. 

“First, the funding will support the installation of a new fermentor that will double the capacity of our bioprocessing facility to support clients in industry, government and academia while mitigating financial risks associated with the CBB’s contractual biomanufacturing obligations,” said Arnold. “At the same time, the program will bolster student training and exposure to the industry, and ultimately support high quality jobs in Iowa.”

The added capacity will impact a spectrum of biotech companies. This includes those focused on the production of industrial chemicals from renewable resources and those focused on the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines to improve human and animal health. One key objective of this program is to shorten the time-to-market for basic laboratory discoveries.

Funded through the state’s Strategic Infrastructure Program, the award is designed to support projects that create necessary physical infrastructure in the state that is not adequately provided by the public or private sectors.