Published Author Category News from RTP

AgBiome and Research Triangle Foundation Hold Ribbon Cutting At Specialized Science Research Facility at The Lab in Research Triangle Park

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, North Carolina – April 28, 2016 – AgBiome and the Research Triangle Foundation officially dedicated a new 30,000 square foot facility at The Lab in Research Triangle Park during a ribbon cutting ceremony today. Construction began on the mixed office, laboratory and greenhouse complex in May 2015, and was completed in December 2015. The facility is comprised of research laboratories, greenhouses, and administrative offices for AgBiome.

“Our close relationship with the RTF team and their understanding of what we need, have been a major factor in our decision to expand here,” said Lawrence Daquioag, Agbiome’s Director of Operations. “Research Triangle Park has fostered the growth of many great companies, and AgBiome will grow to be yet another.”

AgBiome located at The Lab in 2013. Starting with just 7 employees, the company has built a team of 55 full-time employees. AgBiome’s quick growth was instrumental in RTP working to complete the new build out. Their expansion can be attributed to multiple R&D partnerships and  $52 million raised from a syndicate of premier investors, including Syngenta Labs and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. .

“RTF was proud to build this new home for AgBiome,” said Linda Hall, Chief Financial Officer of RTF. “Their commitment to RTP is a wonderful cornerstone for our plans to continue to build and improve areas of the Park.”

Barnhill Construction was the general contractor for the project, and collaborated with Falcon Engineering, Rough Brothers, Avison Young and Hines. The project architect was Integrated Design. In the lease transaction, AgBiome was represented by Jim Allaire of Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer.

AgBiome did not seek financial incentives from any local or state authorities.

About AgBiome:
AgBiome, an agriculture research and discovery company based in Research Triangle Park, collects, isolates, analyzes and tests microbes with its proprietary Genesis discovery and development platform, for use in agriculture as biological products and as sources of genes for traits. The company engages with multiple partnerships to gain access to seed and crop protection markets for its unique products, helping growers worldwide and building long term value.  AgBiome plans to launch its first product, Howler™ biological fungicide, currently in regulatory review, later this year.

About Research Triangle Foundation:
The Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina serves the Research Triangle Park, a bellwether institution that was once referred to by Governor Luther Hodges as the “heart and hope of North Carolina.” Situated centrally among Duke University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, RTP contains 7,000 acres, 47,000+ employees, and over 200 companies. RTP is also home to The Frontier, a new community convening destination at Park Center; and The Lab, a unique location for wet lab and office space.

The Lab is a campus of flexible, dry and wet R&D lab facilities and office space that over 20 companies call home. It is located at 104 T.W. Alexander Drive in RTP.