Stratum, Arenus Lease New R&D Labs

ST. LOUISThe Stratum Nutrition and Arenus divisions of Novus Nutrition Brands LLC are getting dedicated research and development lab space with wet labs and office space.  Stratum Nutrition focuses on human nutrition through branded specialty and  functional ingredients for foods, beverages and dietary supplements. Arenus produces multifunctional health products and supplements for horses and dogs that are part of the equine and companion animal communities. Both companies are under Novus Nutrition Brands LLC, a subsidiary of Novus International Inc., which signed the lease for the space.

This new, separate space will be located at Bio-Research & Development Growth (BRDG bridge") Park at the Danforth Plant Science Center, located near the Novus International Headquarters.  The building will provide dedicated laboratories to conduct basic research and applications testing in food and dietary supplement for Stratum Nutrition, as well as expand the R&D activities in the area of pet foods and equine supplements for Arenus.

The decision to utilize the space from BRDG was to create a synergy and symbiotic relationship with existing companies. "The presence of these labs within the BRDG Park allows us to strengthen our relationship with Danforth Plant Science Center and other companies that have a common interest in addressing the world food challenges," said Ibrahim Abou-Nemeh, director R&D, product discovery for Novus International.  The Stratum Nutrition and Arenus labs, which moved in December, will build the foundation of food applications and dietary supplements and expand product offering to include new technologies.

"We are extremely pleased with Novus International's decision to locate the labs for its Stratum Nutrition and Arenus divisions at BRDG Park," said Sam Fiorello, President of BRDG Park.  "In addition to being part of one of the leading companies in the world in providing solutions and technologies for agriculture, these divisions will add important depth and breadth to our tenant mix in the animal and human health and nutrition categories."

BRDG Park  Building I, opened in June 2009, is a LEED Gold facility featuring world-class wet laboratories, office space and on-site workforce development and training.  BRDG Park's location on the campus of Danforth Center facilitates access to the intellectual capital of top scientists, as well as to greenhouse, growth chambers, microscopy and proteomics facilities and other vital resources.