Biomedical Research Foundation of NW Louisiana

BRF Business Units 

1.    The Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy (CMIT), established in 1995,  gives the community access to cutting-edge molecular imaging services and rare expertise in the development, manufacture, and distribution of novel radiopharmaceuticals.  CMIT offers the community access to technologically advanced clinical trials and assists scientists by providing unique research capabilities and opportunities. In 2022, CMIT concluded a five-year, $19.5 million initiative to expand and elevate drug discovery and healthcare delivery to advance research, increase access to healthcare, and improve scientific collaboration. The new facility is on the northwest corner of Kings Highway and Mansfield Road in the heart of BRF’s InterTech Park.

2.    EDVentures supports STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and technology-based workforce development initiatives through five programs serving students in Caddo, Bossier and DeSoto parishes. BRF provides support to the Bobbie Cates Hicks Science and Medicine Academic Research Training (SMART) program, now in its 27th year with 249 graduates, and the Biotechnology Magnet Academy (BTA) at Southwood High School, which also houses the BioStart senior research laboratory internships, College Navigator, and FIRST Robotics programs. These programs aim to provide opportunities for students who are often underrepresented in STEM.

3.    Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program (EAP) has served as the region’s economic development tool geared to develop high-growth startups since 2014. EAP provides entrepreneurs and small businesses with a suite of services and initiatives to grow the regional innovation ecosystem, including mentoring, business planning, financial modeling, due diligence, access to capital, entrepreneurial education, and development programs. Since its inception, EAP, its portfolio companies, and partners have created about 700 Northwest Louisiana jobs.

4.  InterTech Park is home to BRF operations and divisions, its initiatives and research entities, local high-tech companies, commercial laboratories and startups. Centered around the intersection of Kings Highway and Mansfield Road, the location has easy access from I-20 and I-49. The Park’s cornerstone is InterTech 1, a 60,000-square-foot facility that provides specialized laboratory, commercial, educational and manufacturing space for startups and established commercial ventures to launch and grow. Its technically advanced infrastructure was designed from the onset to attract and support high-growth companies to enhance our community.

5.    Digital Media Institute (DMI), established in 2014, is a center for training in animation, visual effects, and interactive content; gaming, web, and mobile programming; and industrial, graphic, social, and web design to meet increasing demand regionally and nationally for talent and expertise. DMI’s mission is to deliver quality, rapid, 21st-century training for careers in digital media, thereby filling a workforce need as today’s businesses are learning to adapt to the expanding digital world. DMI is nationally accredited and is a degree-granting institution.  

6.    Shreveport Next, launched in September 2020, proactively recruits high-growth small to mid-sized businesses across the country to relocate to or build facilities in the Shreveport-Bossier area, promoting our region’s access, affordability, opportunity, and capital for businesses. Its goal is to diversify the region’s business base by bringing new jobs, payroll, revenue and investment to Northwest Louisiana. Since its inception, Shreveport Next has recruited five companies to our area. 

7.    Omicron Technology Solutions, in 2021, BRF’s Shreveport Next and Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program helped recruit and secure the acquisition of Omicron from Chicago. Omicron is a development company that provides software-as-a-service (SaaS) products. Their products concentrate in several industries: transit and rider management, identity and visitor management, and student information software.

8.    Collaboration Link, BRF’s newest initiative, builds and manages consortia to promote collaboration among government agencies, industry, universities, and the entrepreneurial small business ecosystem. Its mission is to advance technology and innovation in support of government agencies and enhance the economy in Northwest Louisiana. Collaboration Link will seek opportunities to be the link between North Louisiana entrepreneurs, industry, and universities interested in collaborating with government entities, including the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).