PHILADELPHIA — Officials with bioMérieux, an in vitro diagnostics solutions provider, hosted a grand opening of its Molecular and Genomic Innovation Center at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on Sept. 18. The new 32,000-square-foot facility will be the hub for the company’s xPRO Program, which focuses on developing innovative testing solutions to reduce food and beverage safety pain points.

“The opening of the Molecular and Genomic Innovation Center at the Navy Yard is an important milestone in bioMérieux’s storied legacy, as we continue to provide game changing diagnostic solutions that solve the food safety industry’s most persistent and urgent challenges,” said Miguel Villa, senior vice president of Industrial Applications, Americas, and xPRO sponsor. “This facility — in conjunction with our unique Augmented Diagnostics approach to food safety — allows us to continue redefining the role and capabilities of diagnostic testing to further ensure public health and fortify brand reputations.”

Established in 2019, the xPRO Program solves complex food safety operational challenges across the entirety of the production process — from raw materials to final quality assurance releases. The xPRO Program diagnoses the root cause of food safety obstacles and develops custom testing solutions to ensure public safety while minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency.

With bioMérieux’s expansion at the Navy Yard, the center’s team of 50 will have increased space for state-of-the-art labs, such as The Genomic Discovery Center and The xPRO Research & Development Center. bioMérieux expects a shorter market launch timeline for clients, as processes for ideation, development and validation will be accelerated.

“The Molecular and Genomic Innovation Center opening marks not just the unveiling of a new building but underscores our commitment to enhancing our operational capabilities and fostering innovation in molecular diagnostics, an integral part of our Augmented Diagnostics approach," said Yasha Mitrotti, executive vice president of Industrial Applications, Microbiology. “With this landmark, we are poised to strengthen our support to our customers in food safety worldwide.”

bioMérieux commemorated the center’s opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a $10,000 donation to the Science Center’s FirstHand program. bioMérieux is a longtime supporter of the Science Center, particularly its FirstHand program, which provides free, year-round STEM learning for middle and high school students.