Hudson to break ground on biotech dream in 2006

Friday, October 14, 2005

From staff reports
Huntsville Times

Institute aims to begin research by fall of 2007

Groundbreaking for the planned Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology in Cummings Research Park will likely take place early next year, the institute's spokeswoman said Thursday.

The institute, the dream of Huntsville biotechnology pioneer Jim Hudson, will feature a 260,000-square-foot main building, with affiliated companies on the institute campus. The institute is backed by some $80 million in private funds, and the state of Alabama has committed $50 million to support the facility's construction.

Hudson envisions a nonprofit facility to do cutting-edge research and partner with for-profit companies to develop new biotechnology products.

Hudson has said the target for the institute's opening will be fall 2007.

The institute is expected to have between 500-600 workers when it opens and expand to some 1,600 people working on the campus with affiliated companies within 10 years.

Kelli Pollock, the institute's spokeswoman, said Hudson-Alpha is actively engaged in its selection process for the institute's first director.