Year: 2014

Southern Research Announces New Hires in Development and Contracts

Posted on December 15, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – December 15, 2014 – Southern Research recently welcomed John Sweeney, development director, and Catherine Cozart, director of contracts and proposals, to the Southern Research team. Both Sweeney and Cozart are based in Southern Research’s Birmingham headquarters.

In a new role for Southern Research, Sweeney becomes its first development director. He comes to the organization from Birmingham-Southern College, where he was director of development. Sweeney’s career tenure in development also includes roles as regional director for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Arthritis Foundation and donor recruitment manager for the American Red Cross. At Southern Research, he will be responsible for the cultivation of philanthropic giving and corporate and foundation relations under the direction of Watson Donald, director of government affairs. Sweeney earned a bachelor’s of history from Millsaps College and a master’s of divinity from Duke University. He was recognized as the 2007 Presidential Scholar for the Association of Donor Recruitment Professionals.

Cozart has an extensive background in contract administration with more than 20 years building and leading contract management organizations to support profitable, sustainable growth for small, mid-size, and large enterprises including Deloitte, Booz Allen, and Harris Corporation. At Southern Research, Cozart will manage and oversee the organization’s contracts and proposal functions under the leadership of M. Allison Taylor, vice president and general counsel.

Cozart earned a bachelor’s in business administration and accounting and an MBA in finance from Johns Hopkins University. She is an active member of Women in Technology (WIT), National Contract Management Association (NCMA), and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

About Southern Research
Founded in 1941 in Birmingham, Alabama, Southern Research is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) scientific and engineering research organization that conducts preclinical drug discovery and development, advanced engineering research in materials, systems development, and environment and energy research. Approximately 500 team members support clients and partners in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental, and energy industries in facilities in Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas.

 

Southern Research Broadens Preclinical Services in Drug Development with CytoPatch™

Posted on December 9, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – December 9, 2014 – Southern Research is broadening its preclinical service offerings in drug development with the addition of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)-compliant in vitro safety pharmacology testing. Safety pharmacology testing relates to the study of potentially undesirable pharmacodynamic effects of a new product in both the in vitro and in vivo settings. Current methodologies include measuring ionic currents in cells over-expressing individual ion channels. In its GLP-compliant laboratories, Southern Research recently implemented an in vitro screening program on CytoPatch™ – the automated patch clamp platform – and successfully demonstrated in vitro hERG ion channel blocking by drug candidates.

This type of work has traditionally been conducted at room temperature, but with the CytoPatch™ system, Southern Research is able to operate at a physiologically relevant 37 degrees Celsius. Administering these studies at this temperature resulted in generally higher currents, leading to differences in the activity of the tested compounds. Work is ongoing to expand this service to other relevant ion channels, specifically, Kir 2.1, early and late Nav and Kv7.1mink. By using an automated system to perform these assays, the throughput of compounds and the reproducibility of data both increase.

Southern Research has a rich history of supporting preclinical drug discovery and development programs for a broad array of clients and has significant experience in generating study data that can be used to support regulatory submissions. The changing regulatory landscape, with respect to cardiac arrhythmia risk assessment, is of particular importance in drug development. There is a crucial need for systems that can effectively provide reliable data to make these assessments.

“We see a real need for service providers that can present clients with solutions to changing regulatory requirements and provide robust datasets to drive compound selection and development in the most cost effective and timely manner possible,” said Andrew D. Penman, Ph.D., vice president of drug development at Southern Research. “We firmly believe that there is a need for more relevant and robust systems that can be used to address the current preclinical testing paradigm, and Southern Research is currently focusing on investment in these areas.”

About Southern Research

Founded in 1941 in Birmingham, Alabama, Southern Research is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) scientific and engineering research organization that conducts preclinical drug discovery and development, advanced engineering research in materials, systems development, and environment and energy research. Approximately 500 team members support clients and partners in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental, and energy industries in facilities in Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas.

Southern Biologics Network Established to Create Biologics Faster and Less Expensively

Posted on December 8, 2014

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BIRMINGHAM, BATON ROUGE, RALEIGH and RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – December 8, 2014 – Five biopharmaceutical research organizations with operations in Birmingham, Baton Rouge, Raleigh and Research Triangle Park have formed a new public-private partnership called the Southern Biologics Network (SBN) to create biologics faster and less expensively.

The five research organizations will work together to create advanced biologics for biopharmaceutical companies of all sizes.

Biologics are genetically engineered proteins from plant, animal and human cells. They’ll be used to create therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics and drug targets to treat and prevent diseases, assist in drug discovery, and improve the lives of tens of thousands of patients across the United States.

The five research organizations are:

  • Birmingham-based Southern Research Institute, which has created seven FDA-approved cancer drugs. Scientists there are discovering and developing treatments in multiple disease areas including oncology, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and infectious diseases.
  • Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge is at the forefront of medical discovery on understanding and combating obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia, and other chronic diseases with the goal of improving human health across the lifespan.
  • The Center for Structural Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is a leading structural biology research center providing scientists with biophysical and structural information on protein and protein/drug complexes.
  • ProteoVec, Inc., in Baton Rouge, Raleigh and RTP. PV’s scientists develop and scale biologics production processes earlier in development, and more cost effectively, than previously possible.
  • Soluble Therapeutics, Inc., in Birmingham, can determine optimized formulations that maximize solubility and stability for protein-based therapeutics in less than 60 days.

Biologics have revolutionized the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis and different types of cancers. Development of new biosimilar versions of existing breakthrough biologics are key to making healthcare more affordable and improving outcomes.

Pharmaceutical Companies Will Bring More Life-Saving Treatments to Market by Using SBN’s Services

SBN is the first organization in the Southeastern United States to provide truly comprehensive biologic development services. Pharmaceutical companies will be able to save time and money because they’ll be able to select one organization, SBN, instead of trying to coordinate the work of several biopharmaceutical research firms for the manufacture, discovery, preclinical development, and early-stage clinical development of biologics.

“More affordable production and more mature early-stage process development will lead to a greater number of breakthroughs making it to market,” said ProteoVec CEO Michael Crapanzano, M.D. “Not only does that save time; that saves money, too.”

That’s a significant point of difference, considering the business risks and costs of drug development. According to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, it can take up to15 years to create an FDA-approved drug. Research and development costs can exceed $1 billion, and only 20 percent of marketed drugs break even or turn a profit. Still, medicine can make a huge difference. Since 1980, 83 percent of life expectancy gains for cancer patients can be attributed to new treatments. The HIV/AIDS death rate has dropped more than 80 percent since the use of antiretroviral treatments in 1995.

“SBN combines some of the brightest minds in biologics, helps reduce the risk that pharmaceutical companies take at the earliest stages of biologics discovery and development, and allows our five entities to work together more efficiently with clients to do what we all do best — create biological therapeutics for our customers that will dramatically improve patients’ lives,” said Art Tipton, Ph.D., president and CEO of Southern Research Institute.

“We are excited to be part of this network, since we have many of the components necessary to quickly advance high value drug targets using our expertise in protein characterization, target validation, and the ability to optimize preclinical candidates for clients,” explained Dr. Larry DeLucas, director of the Center for Structural Biology at UAB.

About the Southern Biologics Network

Southern Biologics Network service offerings include: initial characterization of protein structures and protein-drug interactions; protein expression, purification and formulation; preclinical in-vitro/in-vivo IND enabling studies; and Phase I clinical studies. SBN’s customer service focus includes close consulting and assistance in the design and execution of all aspects of early-stage biologic development using cost effective, creative, and customized approaches. For more information, please visit http://www.proteovec.com/southern-biologics-network/.

Southern Research Continues 24 Years of HIV Work with New NIH Contract

Posted on December 1, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – December 1, 2014 – Southern Research has been awarded a $24 million, seven-year contract with the Division of AIDS, part of the National Institutes of Health, to provide drug discovery and development services to develop products that have the potential to become drugs for the treatment and prevention of HIV. The contract supports high throughput screening and preclinical studies to discover and develop novel antiretrovirals, with a focus on topical microbicides and unique or unexploited viral targets.

24 Years of HIV Research

For 24 years, Southern Research has been meeting the HIV drug discovery and development needs of the government and pharmaceutical industries, with more than 30 HIV assays and over 200 strains of HIV and SIV in production. This contract renews two previous contracts into one award.

“We received word on the award earlier this year, but we chose to make the announcement December 1 – World AIDS Day – to recognize this special day of awareness and to emphasize the work we have been doing, and continue to do, in the fight against this devastating disease,” said Art Tipton, Ph.D., Southern Research president and CEO.

The Facts on HIV

Currently, there is no cure for AIDS caused by HIV, and the virus continues to spread despite the increased global commitment to controlling the pandemic.

  • According to the World Health Organization, in 2013, globally, there were more than 35 million people living with HIV: 2.1 million people became newly infected and 1.5 million died.
  • In the U.S., there are more than 30 FDA approved HIV medicines.
  • A variety of interventional agents are used in combination to control virus replication and successfully manage the disease, resulting in a functional cure for millions and showing promise in prevention of new infections.
  • Millions are relying on antiretroviral therapy (ART) until a sterilizing cure can be identified, but according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vital Signs report, only 3 in 10 people living with HIV have achieved viral suppression.
  • Oral administration of ART, including Option B and Option B+, was approved worldwide to inhibit transmission in high risk populations and mother-to-child transmissions.
  • In 2013, approximately 12 million people received ART, but drug resistance is an ongoing issue.

“Southern Research has a well-equipped, integrated team of biologists and medicinal, combinatorial and bioanalytical chemists whose experience in drug discovery and development provide significant technical support for products being developed to treat HIV patients,” said Marintha Heil, contract PI and project leader in Southern Research’s drug development division.

About Southern Research

Founded in 1941 in Birmingham, Alabama, Southern Research is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) scientific and engineering research organization that conducts preclinical drug discovery and development, advanced engineering research in materials, systems development, and environment and energy research. Approximately 500 scientific and engineering team members support clients and partners in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental, and energy industries in laboratories and facilities in Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas.

Birmingham-Area High School Students Visit Southern Research Institute for a Day of Experiments and Lively Discussions

Posted on November 20, 2014

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BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – November 20, 2014 – A total of 20 students from Hoover High School, Huffman High School, Holy Family Cristo Rey High School, and Ramsay High School visited Southern Research Institute headquarters today to participate in chemistry, biology and environmental engineering experiments as well as take part in educational roundtables with institute staff members. In the evening, students will attend a reception in the courtyard of Southern Research Institute’s Southside headquarters where they will meet with business, government, and non-profit executives from across Alabama.

It was all part of Southern Research Institute’s local community outreach initiative — Future Scientists & Engineers of Alabama — to further educate students interested in the fields of science and engineering before they enter college.

“This is part of our effort to spark interest, and create a local talent pool, for exciting, innovative, and top-paying science and engineering jobs where you can do the kind of work that can improve the lives of millions of people,” said Southern Research Institute President & CEO Art Tipton, Ph.D.

Southern Research Institute scientists and engineers instructed and supervised the junior and senior high school students as they conducted experiments within institute labs.

The Experiments
Synthesizing aspirin: Students synthesized aspirin, the first research-based pharmaceutical. Aspirin is an effective pain reliever and helps reduce the risk of heart attacks. Southern Research Institute Senior Medicinal Chemist Robert A. Galemmo, Jr., Ph.D., instructed and supervised students during this experiment.
Pinpointing specific proteins in cells: Students conducted a highly regarded “Western Blot” analysis of proteins in cells — an important step in the creation of vaccines because it can be used as a diagnostic tool that senses the slightest immunogenic response from a virus or bacteria in patient samples. Southern Research Institute’s Cancer Research Department Chairman Bo Xu, M.D., Ph.D., instructed and supervised students during this experiment.
Helping to make water safer: Students moved through various workstations to analyze water quality from local water sources. Rivers and streams feed our water supply and provide the habitat for fish and wildlife to thrive. Southern Research Institute’s Manager of Water Research Brian Mastin, Ph.D., instructed and supervised students during this experiment.
Since 1941, Southern Research Institute has been conducting innovative science and engineering work that helps make people’s lives better.

Here are just a few highlights of that work:
Developed seven FDA-approved cancer drugs, and is developing 18 other treatments for diseases as part of the Alabama Drug Discovery Alliance with the University of Alabama at Birmingham
Developing vaccines to combat infectious diseases around the world
Created the state of Alabama’s first solar research facility to study the effects of the Southeast’s unique atmospheric conditions on solar power systems
Helping to make water safer and provide healthier habitats for fish and wildlife
About Southern Research Institute
Southern Research Institute is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) scientific research organization, founded in 1941, that conducts preclinical drug discovery and development, advanced engineering research in materials, systems development, and environment and energy research. Approximately 500 scientific and engineering team members support clients and partners in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental and energy industries. Southern Research is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Additional laboratories and offices are located in Wilsonville and Huntsville, Alabama, as well as Frederick, Maryland, Durham, North Carolina, Cartersville, Georgia, and Houston.

 

Southern Research Institute and UAB Partner to Develop Life-Changing Medical Devices

Posted on November 4, 2014

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – November 4, 2014 – Southern Research Institute, developer of seven FDA-approved cancer drugs, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a leading research institution ranked 23rd nationally in NIH funding, have partnered to develop new medical devices to improve healthcare in the U.S. and around the globe.

A medical device is any medical instrument, as opposed to a drug, that is used to diagnose, prevent or treat a disease or medical condition. New diagnostic imaging, surgical tools and therapeutic implants are examples of what the U.S. Food & Drug Administration defines as medical devices.

Five Key Areas of Focus

The strategic partnership, which is called the Alliance for Innovative Medical Technology (AIMTech), combines the research and discovery expertise of Southern Research Institute scientists and engineers and UAB biomedical engineers and clinicians. They’ll take a patient-centric approach to medical technology development in five key areas:

  • Cardiology
  • Orthopedics
  • Ophthalmology
  • Rehabilitation Engineering
  • Trauma

Southern Research Institute and UAB researchers will work together to create medical devices across all five specializations. The goal is for the first group of AIMTech-created medical devices to hit the market by 2020. By comparison, it can take 10 years to create an FDA-approved drug.

Creating New Jobs

The idea for the new alliance arose from discussions between Art Tipton, Ph.D., president and CEO of Southern Research Institute, and Timothy Wick, Ph.D., chair of the UAB Department of Biomedical Engineering. Tipton holds 34 U.S. patents, helped lead the growth of three pharmaceutical/biotech companies, and launched four commercial products.

“Partnering with UAB on this initiative allows us to accelerate commercialization of medical technologies, improve healthcare delivery and outcomes, and generate economic development and growth,” said Tipton. “This is also an opportunity to develop a lucrative business unit that will potentially create a number of new companies and jobs within the rapidly-growing biomedical engineering industry.”

“Our partnership with Southern Research Institute in the Alabama Drug Discovery Alliance has already been a tremendous success,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts, M.D. “We have approximately 18 new disease-changing therapies in the ADDA pipeline. We’re pushing hard to bring them to market as new treatments as rapidly as possible, which could have incredible health care and economic development implications. We envision a similar impact with the AIMTech collaboration.”

Watts, who is both a physician and an engineer, understands the importance of design in the development of new medical devices.

Robert Hergenrother, Ph.D., Director of AIMTech

Tipton hired Robert Hergenrother, Ph.D., to lead the new alliance. Hergenrother has led the creation of 15 neurovascular, diagnostic, wound care, and orthopedic medical devices during his career. He ran research and development for the medical device business unit of Minnesota-based SurModics and led a team of engineers at California-based Target Therapeutics, now Stryker Neurovascular. Eighteen of his inventions have been patented in the U.S. Hergenrother has also been appointed professor in UAB’s biomedical engineering department.

How It Will Work

AIMTech will invent the new medical devices, help raise venture capital, establish small medical device companies, and manage the clinical trial and FDA approval processes. Major medical device companies will manufacture and sell the devices.

AIMTech will gain a return on investment through research grants, licensing, royalty fees and equity arrangements.

“We have all the ingredients here to create a powerhouse in the medical device industry,” said Hergenrother. “But what’s more exciting than that, is knowing that we’ll be creating the technology that will help patents live longer and more active lives.”

“The regional investment community is excited to see these two Birmingham powerhouses coming together to develop medical devices,” said Robert L. Crutchfield, general partner, Harbert Venture Partners. “Combining the research and innovation development resources at UAB with the commercialization expertise, experience, and capabilities at Southern Research Institute should create value by increasing the number of UAB commercial spin outs.”

Key Industry Facts

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. medical device industry is expected to grow nearly 21 percent to $133 billion by 2016. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 27 percent job growth in the industry between 2012 and 2022, with a median pay of about $87,000 a year.

  • The U.S. is the largest medical device market in the world.
  • There are more than 6,500 medical device companies in the U.S.
  • Eighty percent of medical device companies have fewer than 50 employees.
  • Most medical device companies are located in California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Massachusetts, Illinois, Minnesota and Georgia.
  • Collaborations have led to recent advances in neuro-stimulators, stent technologies, biomarkers, robotic assistance, and electronic device implants.
  • U.S. exports of medical devices exceeded $44 billion in 2012 – a seven percent increase from 2011.

Southeastern Solar Research Center Named Project of the Year, Wins Sustainability Award

Posted on October 2, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – October 2, 2014 – Southern Research Institute’s Southeastern Solar Research Center (SSRC) was named Project of the Year in My Green Birmingham’s 2014 Champions of Sustainability awards. The awards honor sustainability efforts in six categories including building and design, social progress, environment, advocacy, outstanding business, and project of the year. Winners are selected based on their contribution to Birmingham’s economic development, education, smart building and design, innovation, technology, conservation, and more. Southern Research was recognized at the second annual event Wednesday evening at The Westin Birmingham.

“I am honored that our advance in solar research was named My Green Birmingham’s 2014 Project of the Year,” said Arthur J. Tipton, Ph.D., president and CEO of Southern Research Institute. “Southern Research continues to enhance scientific and engineering initiatives and positively impact the environment in a number of ways. This project is just another example of our commitment to clean energy and to the advancement of Alabama’s research community.”

Southern Research Institute, in collaboration with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Palo Alto, California, and Southern Company, including its subsidiary Alabama Power, completed the SSRC at Southern Research’s engineering campus in June 2014, totaling more than $500,000 in investment. The SSRC was built to study the climatic effects in the southeastern U.S.—high levels of heat, humidity, precipitation, and pollen—on the performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems. Data from the SSRC will provide insight into the optimal design of solar PV systems for utilities and promote a better understanding of solar PV applications in the Southeast. Southern Research is currently looking for participants to evaluate technologies in this climatic region.

“Renewable energy is a key component of sustainable development, and as one of Alabama’s leaders in energy and environmental initiatives, Southern Research is proud to contribute to its advancement,” said Michael D. Johns, vice president of Southern Research’s engineering division.

The SSRC sits on six acres and features multiple configurations of PV solar panel arrays, microinverters, and an advanced energy-monitoring system. The solar generation systems include trackers that follow the sun throughout the day as well as southwest-facing solar PV systems to evaluate the utilization of afternoon sun, when electricity use is generally higher. Additionally, the SSRC features accelerated aging testing capabilities to simulate multi-year life and performance of PV systems. Currently, it generates approximately 12 kilowatts of electricity.

About Southern Research
Southern Research Institute, founded in 1941, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) scientific research organization that conducts preclinical drug discovery and development, advanced engineering research in materials, systems development, and environment and energy research. Approximately 500 scientific and engineering team members support clients and partners in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental, and energy industries. Southern Research is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, with additional laboratories and offices in Wilsonville and Huntsville, Alabama, Frederick, Maryland, Durham, North Carolina, Houston, and Cartersville, Georgia. For more information visit: http://52.55.231.133.

NASA Leadership Visits Southern Research Institute

Posted on September 25, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – September 25, 2014 – Michael Gazarik, Ph.D., associate administrator of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), visited Southern Research Institute’s Engineering Research Center (ERC) today to tour the engineering facilities and meet with engineering program directors. NASA established STMD in February 2013 to lead the innovation of technologies that will maintain NASA leadership in space exploration and spur U.S. economic growth.

STMD research and development takes place within NASA centers, academia, and private industry, while leveraging partnerships with other government agencies. Gazarik emphasized that working with these outside organizations is essential to the national space initiative. “Multidisciplinary partnerships are important to NASA’s future and to America’s advancement in space,” said Gazarik. “As a result of our collaborations with academia and industry, we have been able to transform inventive concepts into state-of-the-art technologies.”

Gazarik—an electrical engineer by trade—joined NASA after more than 15 years in the private sector developing systems, software, and hardware for both the commercial and governmental industries. He has more than 25 years of experience in space technology design and implementation. As administrator, he leads STMD programs and focuses on integrating NASA’s exploration and science mission needs, demonstrating the needed resources of the greater aerospace community, and helping advance the nation’s innovation economy.

“We are pleased to have Dr. Gazarik visit our campus and see, firsthand, the work we are doing,” said Arthur J. Tipton, Ph.D., president and CEO of Southern Research Institute. “Collaborating with other trailblazing organizations like NASA helps cultivate Southern Research’s pioneering spirit and exhibits our wide range of capabilities.”

Southern Research’s engineering division has supported NASA for more than 40 years, primarily in materials development and mechanical engineering for NASA’s manned space flight program. Southern Research furthered its contributions with the imaging systems critical to the space shuttle program’s return to flight following the Columbia disaster in 2003.

Gazarik’s visit follows the July 2014 appointment of Michael D. Johns, vice president of Southern Research’s engineering division, as a member of NASA’s Technology, Innovation, and Engineering Committee. The committee is part of the NASA Advisory Council and supports the advisory needs of the NASA administrator, office of the chief technologist, and mission directorates, with a scope that includes NASA programs that could benefit from technology research and innovation. Johns was appointed to a two-year term as a special government employee.

“I am honored that NASA chose me to be part of this dynamic advisory committee,” said Johns. “I look forward to serving alongside my accomplished colleagues.”

Following his visit to Southern Research, Gazarik visited the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, to speak with engineering research leadership and graduate students and to tour the university’s research facilities.

About Southern Research

Southern Research Institute is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) scientific research organization founded in 1941 that conducts preclinical drug discovery and development, advanced engineering research in materials, systems development, and environment and energy research. Approximately 500 scientific and engineering team members support clients and partners in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental and energy industries. Southern Research is headquartered in Birmingham, AL, with additional laboratories and offices in Wilsonville and Huntsville, AL, Frederick, MD, Durham, NC, Houston, TX, and Cartersville, GA.

Department of Energy Announces $5.9 Million Funding Award Opportunity for Southern Research Institute

Posted on August 21, 2014

Project to Advance Conversion of Non-food Biomass Feedstocks to Renewable Carbon Fibers for Use in Defense, Space, Aviation, and Automotive Industries

BIRMINGHAM, AL – August 21, 2014 – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that Southern Research Institute has been selected for negotiation for an award of up to $5.9 million to advance production of high performance, low cost carbon fibers from biomass. The DOE award will fund development of a multi-step catalytic process for conversion of sugars from non-food biomass to acrylonitrile – a key precursor in the production of carbon fiber. Industrial demand for carbon fiber continues to grow due to its high strength and light weight in a number of fields including defense, space, aviation, automotive, wind turbine production, and sporting goods manufacturing. At its Durham, North Carolina facility, Southern Research Institute is exploring novel methods of producing acrylonitrile and other bio based chemicals and fuels using renewable, non-food-based biomass feedstocks.

The Department of Energy announcement can be found here.

“Carbon fiber is a strong, lightweight material that can replace steel and other heavier metals. Current production methods have limited its use, but by leveraging these renewable sources, we may be able to broaden its use, potentially improving performance of fuel-efficient vehicles and renewable energy components such as wind turbine blades,” said Michael D. Johns, Vice President of Engineering for Southern Research Institute.

“At Southern Research we have developed an innovative, elegant process concept, which utilizes biomass derived sugars from any source, allowing for the use of a variety of biomass feedstocks, to produce acrylonitrile. This process could not only potentially improve economics, but may also improve the overall environmental footprint of carbon fiber production when compared to traditional manufacturing methods,” said Dr. Amit Goyal, Senior Chemical Engineer and Principal Investigator for Southern Research Institute.

Team members included in Southern Research Institute’s original application to DOE are Cytec Carbon Fibers LLC and New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). The bio-based acrylonitrile produced by Southern Research Institute’s process will be validated by Cytec, a major carbon fiber manufacturer, and compared with petroleum-based acrylonitrile as a potential direct substitute. NJIT will assist with catalyst characterization for optimizing catalyst performance. Billy Harmon, Director, Research and Development for Cytec Carbon Fibers, adds “Cytec is very excited about the importance of this research and our ability to be a trusted and valued partner in the development of the next dimension of carbon fiber technology.”

About Southern Research

Southern Research Institute is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) scientific research organization founded in 1941 that conducts preclinical drug discovery and development, advanced engineering research in materials, systems development, and environment and energy research. Approximately 500 scientific and engineering team members support clients and partners in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental and energy industries. Southern Research is headquartered in Birmingham, AL, with additional laboratories and offices in Wilsonville and Huntsville, AL, Frederick, MD, Durham, NC, Houston, TX, and Cartersville, GA.

Governor Robert Bentley and Governor Chris Christie Visit Southern Research Institute

Posted on August 13, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – August 13, 2014 – Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie visited the headquarters of Southern Research Institute today, where they toured the Institute’s medical research complex.

Southern Research Institute’s executives talked with Governor Bentley and Governor Christie about the Institute and its broad research and development in life science, engineering, and clean energy. The tour included the facility’s high throughput screening labs, key to the Institute continuing its long history of discovery of new drugs. Currently, the Institute employs approximately 500 scientific and engineering team members.

Governor Bentley commented, “The scientists working at Southern Research Institute have discovered seven FDA approved cancer drugs, and their collaborative efforts have led to the development of new approaches to treat a variety of diseases including HIV/AIDS, diseases of the central nervous system, heart disease as well as cancer. We are proud to have such an important research engine headquartered in Alabama.”

Governor Christie commented, “Governor Bentley’s support of the life sciences in Alabama has created a business-friendly environment where companies like Southern Research Institute can flourish. Southern Research is just another example of how Governor Bentley’s leadership has helped make it possible for companies and universities to come together and innovate.”

“We are honored to have Governor Bentley and Governor Christie visit us and tour our facilities,” said Arthur J. Tipton, Ph.D., President and CEO of Southern Research Institute. “We thank them for their leadership in promoting the life sciences industry and in recognizing the powerful economic and health impact of research like ours.”

About Southern Research Institute

Southern Research Institute is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) scientific research organization founded in 1941 that conducts preclinical drug discovery and development, advanced engineering research in materials, systems development, and environment and energy research. Approximately 500 scientific and engineering team members support clients and partners in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental and energy industries. Southern Research is headquartered in Birmingham, AL, with additional laboratories and offices in Wilsonville and Huntsville, AL, Frederick, MD, Durham, NC, Houston, TX, and Cartersville, GA.

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