SHREVEPORT, La. — Akston has opened a new 31,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Shreveport as part of a $7 million investment in Caddo Parish, expanding its U.S. production capabilities for animal health therapies.
The project is expected to create 69 direct new jobs over five years, with an average annual salary of nearly $100,000 — approximately 76% above the parish average. According to Louisiana Economic Development (LED), the expansion is also projected to generate 93 indirect jobs, bringing the total potential employment impact to 162 new opportunities in the Northwest Region.
The facility, located at BRF’s InterTech Park, includes cleanrooms for biologics production, quality control laboratories, fill-finish manufacturing capabilities, cold storage, warehousing and administrative space. Commercial manufacturing operations are expected to begin in the coming months.
“This new facility marks a major milestone as we commercialize our USDA-regulated protein therapeutics for pets,” said Todd Zion, Ph.D., Co-founder and CEO of Akston. “Expanding our U.S. footprint was a strategic priority, and we appreciate the support from state and local partners.”
Founded in Beverly, Massachusetts, Akston develops protein-based therapies for companion animals using its proprietary Ambifect® platform. The Shreveport facility expands the company’s vertically integrated research, development and manufacturing operations and strengthens Louisiana’s growing life sciences sector.