BioWell, a Houston-based nonprofit accelerator focused on industrial biomanufacturing, has taken over operations at the Texas BioTechnology pilot plant in Richmond, Texas. The facility has a 13,000-liter fermentation capacity and offers contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) services, advanced laboratories, and bioprocessing capabilities. It is designed to support early-stage companies, research institutions, and industry leaders with its infrastructure.
The plant will serve as an educational hub, providing workforce development. It will include hands-on lab training and instruction on equipment and procedures. Veronica Breckenridge, founder of First Bight Ventures and BioWell, said partnering with the facility was a strategic decision. She highlighted its importance as a platform for supporting innovation and industry growth.
Breckenridge noted that the timing is crucial, given recent reports from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology. These reports stress the need for the U.S. to maintain biotech leadership as China advances rapidly. The sector faces a bottleneck due to limited pilot-scale infrastructure. Companies often move R&D overseas, risking intellectual property loss.
Doug Cameron, PhD, an advisor to First Bight, explained that pilot facilities are vital for de-risking processes. They help bring innovations to market. He added that the Texas site helps address this infrastructure gap. The facility spans 33,000 square feet and includes molecular biology labs, automation, fermentation equipment, and 16 workbenches. It is the largest publicly available industrial biomanufacturing facility in the U.S.
Industry leaders believe the facility will accelerate biomanufacturing growth, create high-paying jobs, and strengthen Houston’s biotech and chemical industries. Po Bronson, SOSV Managing Director, said locating biomanufacturing in Houston will foster industry growth and integration. For First Bight, this partnership enhances their ability to support companies through scale-up and attract investment.
