$43 million grant will support Alabama biotech efforts

The Birmingham Biotechnology Hub Grant will be disbursed to several entities

A $43.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce will support several Alabama groups doing biotech research.

The Birmingham Biotechnology Hub Grant funds will go to Southern Research and the University of Alabama at Birmingham to create artificial intelligence drug discovery platforms and to the Alabama Community College System, Lawson State Community College and the Propel Center to provide advanced biotechnology training and workforce development.

“We have a great opportunity — with this grant and support from other public and private partners — to train Alabamians in the biotech jobs of the future, advance technology and make life-changing and life-saving discoveries,” said Sanjay Singh, interim regional officer for the Birmingham Bio Innovation Corp., which will coordinate the efforts. “The work of the Birmingham Biotechnology Hub promises to benefit our local and state economies while improving health across Alabama and far beyond.”

Almost $20 million of the grant will fund Southern Research’s Catalyst program, which is working to provide patients, particularly those in rural and underserved communities, access to free genetic tests and clinical insights about medications and risks for some chronic diseases.

About $10 million will go to UAB’s Center for Innovation Platforms and Therapeutics Acceleration.

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Two programs advancing biotechnology workforce development will also receive funds. The Alabama Community College System, in partnership with Lawson State, receives just over $7 million for the Lawson State Community College Biotech Early Career Workforce Development Program, and The Propel Center, an innovation hub supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities, receives $5 million for its Biotech Advanced Upskilling Project.

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