Agrivida chooses Woburn for expanded laboratory

WOBURN, Mass. (October 20, 2017) – Agrivida, an agritech company focused on animal nutrition, has leased 20,000 square feet at Cummings Properties’ 78 Olympia Avenue location in Woburn. In addition to a laboratory and offices, the site features a series of “grow rooms” that allow scientists to grow corn year-round.

The company was founded in 2003 by scientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Its research and technology platforms focus on the nutritional makeup of grains used to feed farm animals.

The new space, which it moved to earlier this month, consolidates the firm’s office in Medford as well as an agricultural research facility in Woburn. Both of Agrivida’s previous locations were leased with Cummings.

“Agrivida was in search of a single facility where it could conduct business, research, and agriculture,” said Cummings senior account manager Tony Spencer. “We were able to provide a space that meets all of these needs, with the help of our in-house design and construction teams.”

Agrivida headquarters Woburn

To accommodate the company’s indoor agriculture requirement, Cummings Properties created three large grow rooms designed to mimic the optimal outdoor environment for growing corn. The rooms are equipped with ultraviolet lighting, a specialized air system, interior irrigation, and a built-in mechanism for water drainage.

“I’ve worked with Cummings for more than 10 years; they collaborated with us on a previous site expansion, so I had complete confidence in their ability to create the ideal grow rooms and lab,” said Agrivida founder and president Dr. Michael Raab. “We are committed to producing wholesome, affordable food in an efficient and sustainable way, and this new space will help us do that.”

Agrivida joins a cluster of other life sciences firms – such as CordenPharma, MilliporeSigma, and Mitra BioTech – that have offices within Cummings Properties’ Woburn portfolio, located near the junction of Interstates 93 and 95.

Cummings Properties’ portfolio of 11 million square feet of prime space accommodates offices, healthcare facilities, labs, restaurants, retail storefronts, warehouses, co-working spaces, executive suites, and more. With a portfolio of this size and variety, the firm can meet almost any commercial real estate need from 150 square feet to 300,000 square feet. Its in-house experts in design, construction, and property management offer “one-stop shopping” for leasing clients.