Valent BioSciences officially opened the doors of its new global research facility, the Biorational Research Center (BRC), at a July 24 gala at Libertyville's Innovation Park.
Biotechnology firm Valent Biosciences opened the doors of its new global research facility, the Biorational Research Center, Tuesday at Libertyville's Innovation Park.
More than 250 guests, including Illinois Deputy Governor Leslie Munger to strategic partners, customers, industry representatives and members of the scientific community, gathered for the festivities and tour of the facility, adjacent to the company's headquarters at 870 Technology Way.
The opening of the research center completes a two-year build-out and transition from Valent's research facility in Long Grove. The facility boasts approximately 65,000 square-feet of open-concept lab and office space combined with a state-of-the-art, 20,000 square-foot greenhouse.
In addition to its technological upgrades, the move will streamline cross-functional collaboration among Valent's team of plant, soil, and formulation scientists, microbiologists, entomologists, and chemists, to bring solutions to agriculture, public health, and forest health professionals around the world.
"This breathtaking new facility is a testimony to the notable success of our R & D group," said Ted Melnik, Valent executive vice president and chief operating officer. "All patents and awards aside, that success ultimately comes down to an ability to develop and commercialize sustainable products that deliver clear value to our stakeholders - whether they be growers, food companies, foresters, or governments that fight against insect-borne disease."
The opening of the research center is another in a string of investments Valent has made into its biorational business over recent years. In addition to the acquisition of Pace International in 2012 and Mycorrhizal Applications in 2015, Valent also opened its Iowa-based, $150 million biorational manufacturing plant in 2014, the first purpose-built biorational facility in the world.