Vitrian and The Howard Hughes Corporation Form Joint Venture to Develop Life Science Projects in The Woodlands, Texas

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Vitrian, a national platform providing an end-to-end solution for mission-critical biomanufacturing facilities, and The Howard Hughes Corporation (NYSE: HHC) announced today their formation of a joint venture to develop cGMP/Biomanufacturing facilities in HHC’s award-winning master planned community of The Woodlands.

Building upon the rapidly growing cluster of life science research and development and biomanufacturing in The Woodlands, anchored by Cellipont Bioservices, Millipore Sigma, VGXI, and KBI Biopharma, among others, the Vitrian/HHC venture is positioned to meet the needs of companies focused on in-house manufacturing (from biopharma to industrial biology) as well as contract development manufacturing organizations (CDMOs).

The Woodlands has emerged as an attractive location for advanced biomanufacturing given its strength of the healthcare industry within the community with Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center and its position within the Greater Houston region with its global healthcare leadership—in clinical trials and patient care through the Texas Medical Center. Healthcare is The Woodlands’ largest employment sector, highlighted by the deeply skilled workforce living in the community—sought after for its top-ranked quality-of-life, amenities, and walkable urban center that makes The Woodlands a compelling option for life science companies and businesses in general looking to attract and retain today’s top talent.

“Vitrian is excited to join The Howard Hughes Corporation in developing next-generation cGMP facilities in The Woodlands,” said Scott Nudelman, co-founder and managing principal of Vitrian. “Our experience partnering with Cellipont Bioservices on their new headquarters and manufacturing site in The Woodlands’ Research Forest—as well as our overall engagement in the Greater Houston region—has convinced us that we are in the early innings of growth in biomanufacturing. The dynamic environment and amenity base created and nurtured by Howard Hughes provides a unique place to attract and retain life science companies and their workforce.”

“This joint venture further diversifies the innovative industries that are represented in The Woodlands with the advancement of life science,” said Jim Carman, President of the Houston Region for The Howard Hughes Corporation. “The Woodlands continues to attract companies from a variety of industries seeking a highly-skilled talent pool, business-friendly environment, and high quality of life for their employees.”