Omega-3 researcher setting up in Austin
Published 1:20 pm Friday, October 12, 2012
Dr. Ralph Holman’s understudy is setting up shop in Austin.
Dr. Doug Bibus — who worked under Holman, The Hormel Institute scientist known for naming Omega-3 fatty acids — will expand his St. Paul business Lipid Technologies into Austin. Bibus, who lives in Austin, will move part of his operation into a lab at 1805 14th St. NE. The building is home to two start-up businesses that opened this summer, golf shoe wholesaler GoBe Golf and lighted screen printing producer Ellumilite.
Lipid Technologies, an analysis and consulting firm, specializes in fatty acid and lipid research, working with Fortune 500 companies such as Hormel Foods Corp., professional athletes including the Jacksonville Jaguars and some U.S. Olympians, and everything and everyone in between, according to Bibus. He said the company measures fatty acids in food, medicine and basic research. Basically, Bibus said, his business is about using science to make food and people healthier.
“A lot of what we’ve done over the years is changing the kinds of fats in foods, making foods healthier by adding Omega-3 fats,” he said.
To start, Bibus will have one other employee in Austin, but sees potential for growth.
The Austin Port Authority and the Development Corporation of Austin own the building and rent it to Bibus and the other companies. He said he couldn’t have made the move without the help of the DCA or the Port Authority.