Two new companies recently joined the Bio-Research and Development Growth Park, better known as BRDG Park, at the Danforth Plant Science Center in Creve Coeur, Mo.
Clean energy-focused Akermin and genomics service firm MOgene LC have moved 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.
Akermin is developing the lowest-cost, most energy efficient system for carbon dioxide separation and carbon capture. Unlike today’s approaches, Akermin’s incorporates biological catalysts rather than expensive, operationally difficult and environmentally “unfriendly” chemical promoters.
The new 11,693-square-foot space at BRDG Park provides Akermin’s 23 employees with 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 chief operating officer. “BRDG Park’s management and its diverse web of tenants readily at hand provide the perfect ecosystem for us.”
MOgene LC, founded in 2004, provides genomic solutions to the agricultural, pharmaceutical, food and industrial markets. It also builds green businesses in the energy and chemical industries through its subsidiary, MOgene Green Chemical.
“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.”
With the addition of these two companies, BRDG Park is now more than 80 percent occupied.
