HudsonAlpha to expand with new building

HUNTSVILLE – HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology will construct 800 Hudson Way, the latest addition to the 152-acre campus.

The building with 100,000 square foot will foster job growth of several new and expanding life sciences companies. The addition will house components of HudsonAlpha’s research, educational outreach, genomic medicine and informatics programs, according to company sources.

 “HudsonAlpha serves as a vital asset to Alabama’s strategic economic development plan to create more jobs. HudsonAlpha has had a significant impact of more than $1.3 billion on the state’s economy since 2006,” Gov. Robert Bentley said at the Dec. 13 groundbreaking.

“The new facility will lead to the expansion of research and discovery in the field of life sciences and ultimately generate more employment opportunities for Alabamians,” Bentley said. “HudsonAlpha is one of the nation’s leading human genome research bodies, and I am looking forward to their continued success in the future.”

The building will be home to the Paul Propst Center for Precision Medicine. Huntsville philanthropist and businessman William ‘Bill’ Self Propst Sr. donated to HudsonAlpha’s work in the area of precision medicine. The center is named in honor and memory of his father Paul, who was a minister in North Alabama.

“HudsonAlpha is leading the way in precision medicine, and I am honored to have the opportunity to support such cutting-edge research that is happening right here in Huntsville,” Propst said.

“It is wonderful to be breaking ground on HudsonAlpha’s next step in mine and Lonnie’s dream,” said Jim Hudson, co-founder of HudsonAlpha.

“Lonnie McMillian and I want to thank the State of Alabama, Bill Propst and the Huntsville community for recognizing the power of genomics, the need for precision medicine in the state and the importance of continuing to build a life sciences hub in North Alabama,” Hudson said.

The two-story building will resemble the 601 Genome Way location in both its design and the mix of research laboratories and life sciences companies. Longtime HudsonAlpha associate company Conversant Bio will expand and move into the new building.

800 Hudson Way will be the fourth building on the biotech campus, which currently employs more than 700 people.

Other officials at the groundbreaking included Dr. Richard Myers, HudsonAlpha president and science director; Dale Strong, Madison County Commission Chairman; and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle.

For more information, visit hudsonalpha.org/800.