Lab expansion looks to elevate research at Boehringer Ingelheim
By Riley Funk
A recent lab upgrade at Boehringer Ingelheim will help enhance research and development for its products.
Community leaders spoke Thursday on the latest improvements on the campus and got the chance to get a tour of the new expansion.
Natalie Hawn, CEO of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, said the new lab expansion is just part of overall upgrades on the campus along Gene Field Road.
She said the new facility is part of a five-year investment plan totaling over $82 million. This includes the expansion of the R&D lab and new equipment upgrades.
Caroline Belmont, the head of U.S. global innovation with Boehringer Ingelheim, said the upgrades in the lab provide a flexible design that will allow researching scientists to have a better workflow.
“We are doing a lot more research now into diseases where there are no solutions at the moment for our pets and livestock,” Belmont said. “This facility will be part of developing those products and then transferring those products into the manufacturing facility so that we can put products out on the market.”
The company helps develop vaccines for a number of different animals including swine, cattle, horses and everyday pets.
When challenges emerge, like recent outbreaks of avian flu among some herds, Belmont said while the St. Joseph location doesn’t typically develop poultry-related products, they are equipped to tackle issues if or when they arise.
“So we’re monitoring that situation very closely to see what happens,” Belmont said. “We have the technology in-house that already exists, So you never know what that might produce if needed in future to support the livestock business.”
Belmont said Thursday was a big day for the company, showing its commitment to the St. Joseph area. Years down the line, she said she can see products developed in St. Joseph expanding; this is just the start.
“You’ve got to have a strategy behind this. Where are you going? And then you’ve got to have the facilities in order to conduct those activities, so this is a significant upgrade for us,” Belmont said.
