As its business grows, Valent BioSciences has been working to expand two of its facilities in Illinois and Iowa.
In Libertyville, Ill., the company recently opened the new Venburg Wing at its Melnik and Shafer Biorational Research Center. The addition is named after Greg Venburg, senior director of global research at Valent BioSciences, and includes new laboratory and pilot plant areas, offices and meeting rooms.
“This new wing in the Melnik and Shafer Biorational Research Center honors Greg’s many accomplishments over his long and distinguished career,” said Salman Mir, Valent BioSciences president and CEO. “He has served in various R&D leadership roles and overseen the research, development and introduction of major biorational technologies and products. Greg was also central to the planning, design, and construction of this facility and provided essential vision and leadership in forming the research teams working to develop innovative solutions to new and emerging biorational needs and opportunities. His contributions have been essential in helping us strengthen our industry leadership position.”
Valent is also expanding its Osage, Iowa, manufacturing facility, which is scheduled to be completed in early 2025. Those additions will include new production-scale fermentation and recovery equipment, a new pilot plant facility and expanded laboratory space.
Sustainability efforts have also been at the forefront of the Osage facility expansion. Thirty-four acres of native prairie land adjacent to the facility have been restored and will sequester approximately 170 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, while a 12-acre solar field will provide a portion of the facility’s total annual electricity usage.
