This podcast is a visit with Andrew Arrage of Matica Biotechnology and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

A subsidiary of a South Korea based biopharmaceutical corporation is bringing a manufacturing facility to College Station.

A ceremonial groundbreaking took place Tuesday morning at Matica Biotechnology, which is converting space at Providence Park north of the Academy store. Longtime residents will also know the property as the former Westinghouse building.

Chief commercial officer Andrew Arrage says their clients come to them with candidates for new vaccines and therapies. Matica then helps their clients become compliant with the FDA and other regulatory agencies.

Arrage says College Station and Bryan have developed a very good reputation for being bio-tech friendly, what he described as the "academic prowess" at Texas A&M, and government funding.

Arrage says the facility will be up and running by the end of the year.

Matica currently has 20 local employees. Arrage is looking to double that by the time manufacturing begins.