On-site attorneys bring industry expertise to St. Louis’ newest research and technology address – @4240 facility
Wexford Science & Technology, creators of Knowledge Communities in eight cities across the nation, has recruited Husch Blackwell as its newest contributor to St. Louis’ CORTEX District. Moving into the @4240 facility in early summer, Husch Blackwell attorneys will advise the researchers and entrepreneurs on their business legal needs, including protecting their intellectual property. The @4240 building is also home to several Washington University research administration, innovation and collaboration spaces, and soon to be the home of CIC – St. Louis.
@4240 endeavors to develop an innovation ecosystem, where technology, research and life sciences organizations are housed with other like-minded companies that support their innovations. This includes companies in fields such as public relations, academics and law. With construction well underway, @4240 is a $73 million, 183,000-square-foot multi-tenant lab and office space that rivals other centers of research in the United States. The project is part of the Phase II development of the CORTEX District, the heart of St. Louis’ innovation economy.
“We are thrilled to have a world-class law firm like Husch Blackwell establish an office in our building. Entrepreneurs and innovators will benefit from the proximity and direct access to high quality legal services,” says Josh Parker, Director of Development for Wexford Science & Technology, LLC. “Our goal is to create an innovation community that fosters new ideas and technologies, and Husch Blackwell is an ideal fit for that vision.”
“It is an honor to be the law firm chosen by Wexford to join their @4240 innovation center,” said Greg Smith, Husch Blackwell CEO and Managing Partner. “Husch Blackwell is uniquely qualified to help these visionaries protect their ideas, identify market opportunities and seize those opportunities quickly.”
Husch Blackwell has an industry-focused approach, serving clients in the technology, manufacturing, healthcare and food industries, among others. This approach aligns well with the companies that will reside at @4240. Husch Blackwell’s office is steps away from Washington University’s Offices of Technology Management and Research Administration, the building’s anchor tenant, and the CIC – St. Louis.
“Co-locating the major components of an innovation ecosystem within @4240, including ready access to legal expertise, is very valuable. It can accelerate innovation, and the commercialization of research results, thus helping bring new products and services to the marketplace, and for the benefit of the public,” said Dr. Evan Kharasch, Washington University’s Vice Chancellor for Research.
@4240 has the capability and infrastructure to support a variety of commercial and research organizations, from small start-ups to established corporate users from around the country looking to relocate to or expand within St. Louis. The building is part of the $186 million second phase of development at CORTEX, which also includes the construction of a $45 million office building for BJC Healthcare and major public realm infrastructure improvements.