Cortex & APIIC to Receive $1 Million Through Federal “Build Back Better Regional Challenge”

The Cortex Innovation Community and the API Innovation Center (APIIC) are pleased to partner with Greater St. Louis, Inc. and others as members of the St. Louis team receiving the $25 million federal Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant announced today. The federal grant will unlock the full potential of the region’s advanced manufacturing cluster, fueling its growth and contributing to the continued development of two next generation industries: bioscience and geospatial technology.

Cortex and the APIIC will receive $1 million from the Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant for their work to expand domestic manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients for essential and critical medicines.

“This is a tremendous win for St. Louis and the state of Missouri,” said Sam Fiorello, Cortex President and CEO. “By coordinating and leveraging the strength of our St. Louis innovation network, we are making a meaningful difference in advancing equitable and inclusive economic growth in the region.”

Part of the Cortex Innovation Community, the APIIC is a non-profit dedicated to delivering market competitive commercial supply of US-made active pharmaceutical ingredients to address health security and foster biomanufacturing job growth in the St. Louis region. The APIIC is leading the production of APIs back to the United States through advanced manufacturing technology and development.

“We are proud to be part of this winning team,” said Tony Sardella, CEO and President of the APIIC. “We are building the next generation of pharmaceutical advanced manufacturing in St. Louis, which will continue to attract new partners and create new jobs. Together we are securing our public health, strengthening our national security, and creating new opportunities with advanced technology.”

To learn more about Cortex and its work in creating equitable economic impact throughout St. Louis, visit: www.cortexstl.org/. For more information on the APIIC and its commitment to de-risk and safeguard the nation’s API supply chain, visit: www.apicenter.org.

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About APIIC:

The API Innovation Center is a non-profit organization, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, dedicated to delivering market-competitive commercial supply of US-made Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) to address national health security. By fostering collaboration amongst a network of companies, academic and research institutions, and startups, the APIIC stewards innovations in advanced manufacturing and enables solutions for drug supply chain fragility. The center also works to create a diverse talent pipeline by partnering with local educational and apprenticeship programs that target underrepresented communities. To learn more about APIIC, visit: www.apicenter.org.

About Cortex Innovation Community:

Cortex is a vibrant space serving as an inclusive economic engine for St. Louis. Cortex creates equitable economic impacts by leveraging high-quality facilities, developing programs that build knowledge and networks, and convening strategic partnerships that attract and support emerging and established companies. Founded in 2002 through a collaboration of Washington University in St. Louis, BJC HealthCare, the University of Missouri – St. Louis, Saint Louis University, and the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Cortex Innovation Community (CortexSTL.org) is an internationally recognized hub of innovation and entrepreneurship that is focused on accelerating inclusive economic growth in St. Louis.