Nu-Tek BioSciences Breaks Ground in Austin

Nu-Tek BioSciences, an innovative manufacturer of industrial ingredients used in the development and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, broke ground today on its 60,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Austin, Minn. The building will be home to the first dedicated animal-free peptone manufacturing facility in the United States and a long-term solution for raw materials needed for certain biologics manufacturing.

Located in the Creekside Business Park, the Nu-Tek project will sit on nearly nine acres with additional land available for future growth and expansion. Upon completion, Nu-Tek is expected to create approximately 35 to 40 jobs at this facility.

“For more than 10 years, Nu-Tek has manufactured and supplied raw materials in the form of peptones to the pharmaceutical industry,” said Thomas Yezzi, CEO, Nu-Tek BioSciences. “Austin’s rich manufacturing background and proximity to world class healthcare systems and major research universities made it the ideal location to build a world-class facility needed to manufacture next generation biologics.”

The $40 million project went through a competitive and extensive site selection process conducted in consultation with local officials from the City of Austin, the Austin Port Authority, Austin Utilities, Mower County, Development Corporation of Austin, and the Community Venture Network. Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development is assisting the project with a loan of up to $325,000 from the Minnesota Investment Fund and a $175,000 award from the Job Creation Fund.

“We’re very proud of all the companies that call Austin home,” shared City of Austin Mayor Steve King. “Adding Nu-Tek BioSciences to that list will grow our food and agriculture presence and expand our economic footprint to include bioscience technology. This will be transformational for our community.”

WDS Construction, a Beaver Dam, Wis.-based general contractor providing 48 states with construction management and development services, will serve as general contractor for the project.

Joining Nu-Tek at the ground-breaking ceremony were officials from Austin Port Authority, Austin Utilities, City of Austin, Development Corporation of Austin, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Mower County, PACE Equity, Horicon Bank, ISG Design & Engineering, Dahmes Stainless Equipment, JCW Development, WDS Construction, the Hormel Institute, and guests of the company.