Pet Pharmaceutical Company Set to Open in Shreveport Bringing 70 Jobs

There's some pretty good news on the economic development front for Shreveport. A pharmaceutical company is now close to opening up for business at a location on Kings Highway.

William Bradford with the Industrial Development Board says this complex will be in collaboration with the Biomedical Research Foundation. It is Akston Biosciences which focuses on commercial-scale manufacturing of protein-based therapies for pets. The local operation is expected to open next month.

Akston has invested about $7 million dollars in Caddo Parish to expand its U.S. manufacturing capabilities and strengthen Louisiana’s life sciences sector.

This complex will create 70 direct jobs paying salaries of $100,000 dollars which is 76% above the average Caddo Parish wage.

LED Secretary Susan Bourgeois has previously said “Akston’s decision to expand in Louisiana reinforces the state’s position at the forefront of advanced life sciences, as innovation continues to translate into new industries and new opportunities. With our economy continuing to diversify, investments like this give emerging industries the staying power needed to grow, compete and create high-wage jobs here in Louisiana.”

What Will the Shreveport Facility Include

• The Location: A 31,000-square-foot facility situated on 2.5 acres inside BRF's InterTech Park in Shreveport on Kings Highway.

Bradford says Akston has already hired some of the employees from the Dr. Reddy office that closed its Line Avenue operation in March of last year.

More Good Economic News for Shreveport

Justyn Dixon with North Louisiana Economic Partnership has also given an update about the expansion at the SLB (formerly Schlumberger) complex in west Shreveport. They operate at the old GM plant and that facility is now completely occupied.

In July of 2023 SLB committed to 600 jobs at that facility. The average salary is $60,000 plus benefits. Dixon says in December of last year, they added 600 more jobs at the facility. They now have 1,500 jobs and that number is expected to grow to 2,000 jobs by the end of this year.