Southern Research has completed the sale of its Maryland facility to Tonix Pharmaceuticals. The sale of the property in Frederick, Md., will allow Southern Research to invest nearly $20 million in its Birmingham campus and bring 50 new high-paying jobs to Alabama.
“Selling the Frederick facility is part of our strategic plan for the future of Southern Research,” said Josh Carpenter, president and CEO of Southern Research. “We plan to invest in new facilities in Birmingham and greatly expand our infectious disease capabilities to address current and emerging threats.”
Southern Research has been heavily involved in COVID-19 response since the pandemic began in 2020, performing more than $30 million in research and development on COVID testing, treatment and vaccine development.
Among other things, Southern Research and Tonix collaborated on a COVID vaccine that is currently in clinical trials. Their collaboration will continue going forward, with Southern Research working on vaccines and antivirals at its Birmingham campus.
“By consolidating our work here in Birmingham, we are not just transferring existing jobs to Alabama,” Carpenter said. “We are also freeing up resources that will enable us to create even more jobs and economic impact in the future. The best days for Southern Research are still to come.”
Founded in Birmingham in 1941, Southern Research is an independent, non-profit scientific research organization where scientists and engineers work across three divisions: Life Sciences, Engineering and Energy & Environment.
