In a strategic move to strengthen America's biomanufacturing capabilities, Houston-based nonprofit accelerator BioWell has officially assumed operations of Texas BioTechnology's pilot plant in Richmond, TX. The partnership creates the largest publicly available industrial biomanufacturing facility in the United States, addressing a critical infrastructure gap in the nation's biotechnology sector.
The 33,000-square-foot facility boasts impressive specifications, including 13,000 liters of fermentation capacity, advanced laboratory space, and comprehensive bioprocessing capabilities. Beyond providing contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) services, the facility will serve as an educational hub offering hands-on lab training and instruction on biotechnological procedures for students and industry professionals.
Addressing a Critical National Infrastructure Gap
The partnership comes at a pivotal moment for American biotechnology. According to Veronica Breckenridge, Founder of First Bight Ventures and BioWell, the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) recently published a report emphasizing the urgent need for the United States to maintain leadership in biotechnology, particularly as competition from China intensifies.
"As a Houston-based accelerator dedicated exclusively to early-stage biomanufacturing startups, partnering with this facility was a natural and highly strategic decision for us," said Breckenridge. "The site is fully operational and offers a strong platform to support biomanufacturing companies, industry leaders, and research institutions."
The U.S. bioindustrial manufacturing sector has long faced a significant bottleneck in scale-up capabilities due to limited pilot and demonstration-scale infrastructure. This gap has forced many companies to seek solutions overseas, risking the loss of domestic research and development as well as intellectual property.
Doug Cameron, PhD, an advisor at First Bight with 50 years of experience in industrial biology, emphasized the importance of this development: "Pilot facilities are critical for de-risking and scaling biotechnological processes—they play a vital role in bringing innovations to market. Right now, the U.S. lacks this kind of infrastructure. The BioWell Texas Biotechnology facility helps address that gap."
A Comprehensive Biomanufacturing Environment
The facility's extensive capabilities make it uniquely positioned to support the growth of early-stage companies. It features climate-controlled molecular biology labs, advanced automation systems, state-of-the-art fermentation equipment, and 16 dedicated benches specifically for emerging companies.
For First Bight Ventures, the partnership strengthens their ability to support portfolio companies through critical scale-up phases, making them more attractive to future investors while enhancing overall deal flow in the biomanufacturing sector.
Steven Kean, President and CEO of Greater Houston Partnership, highlighted the regional economic impact: "Leveraging our innovative technologies and the deep industry knowledge in the region, BioWell's pilot facility will accelerate future development of industrial biomanufacturing, creating well-paying job opportunities and positioning Houston as a leader in this space."
Redefining Industry Relationships
The partnership also aims to reshape perceptions about the relationship between biomanufacturing and traditional chemical manufacturing. Po Bronson, Managing Director at SOSV, addressed a common misconception: "Having BioWell in Houston will reset the 'true north' of American biomanufacturing as a partner to chemical manufacturing. It's a mischaracterization that biomanufacturing and fermentation disrupt chemical manufacturing."
Bronson explained that biomanufacturing typically produces bio-based precursors that chemical manufacturers then convert and formulate, creating a complementary rather than competitive relationship. "Co-locating biomanufacturing in Houston—the U.S. epicenter of chemical manufacturing—will help both industries grow together," he added.
Public Engagement and Future Plans
BioWell has scheduled two Open Houses on May 14 and May 28, 2025, featuring tours of the fermentation and lab spaces, along with presentations of current bioindustrial projects by startups and corporate partners. Tours will be held at 10:30 AM and 2:00 PM on both days, with limited space available.
As a nonprofit organization, BioWell welcomes donations to support its mission of advancing the transition of the $6 trillion petrochemical industry toward sustainable, bio-based chemical solutions. The facility represents a significant step toward creating a more robust domestic biomanufacturing ecosystem that can compete globally while fostering innovation at home.
Guided tours of the facility are now available to the public, with interested parties encouraged to contact Bo Zhao at bo@biowell.org for more information.
