Credit Suisse, a world-leading financial services firm, will add 400 jobs during the next two years and invest $40 million to expand its Center of Excellence facility at Research Triangle Park (RTP). This announcement was made possible in part by a Job Development Investment Grant from the state of North Carolina.

The Center of Excellence houses support staff for the company’s investment banking division, including operations and information technology personnel. Construction on the expansion is scheduled to begin later this year, and new employee hiring will begin at the end of 2006. This is Credit Suisse’s first expansion in RTP.

“Since beginning operations in RTP in 2005, we have assembled a dynamic work force here that truly works as a team,” said Tom Sanzone, chief information officer for Credit Suisse. “RTP has provided us with excellent training for our employees, proving this area to be an ideal place for Credit Suisse to do business and support our international client base.”

This is the second Job Development Investment Grant that Credit Suisse has received. Under the terms of the 10-year agreement, the North Carolina Department of Commerce estimates the project will produce a positive, cumulative net state revenue impact of $28.6 million.

With the support of the Research Triangle Foundation, RTP has completed nine deals during the past two years totaling a projected $500 million in capital investment and the creation of more than 2,100 high-tech jobs.

The Park encompasses 7,000 acres of North Carolina pine forest and has about 1,100 acres for development. It is home to more than 136 companies, which employ 37,600 workers in a variety of industries.

Eisai Inc. plans for a new pharmaceutical production and formulation research and development (R&D) facility for parenteral — or intravenous — oncology treatments.

“Oncology is one of Eisai’s long-standing therapeutic areas of focus, supporting our human health care mission to increase benefits to patients and their families and satisfy unmet medical needs,” said Lonnel Coats, president and chief operating officer of Eisai Inc. “Our plans for the new facility in RTP demonstrate Eisai’s global commitment to oncology and patients around the world.”

The new $90 million, 65,000 square foot facility will encompass aseptic processing suites, laboratories and other support functions. In addition, a separate $15 million central utilities building is planned to supply power, steam, chilled water and compressed air to the existing operations and the new parenteral facility.

Groundbreaking is expected in the fall and completion is anticipated in three years, with operations beginning in 2009. The new facilities will lead to 59 new jobs during the next three years and 84 new jobs during the next five years.

“The exceptional growth of the company, fueled by our talented and dedicated employees, has led us to expand in North Carolina not once, but three times since 2001,” says Lou Arp, vice president of production operations for Eisai.

Eisai Inc. is the U.S. pharmaceutical subsidiary of Eisai Co., a research-based human health care company that discovers, develops and markets products in more than 30 countries. The company employs about 1,200 workers at its headquarters in Teaneck, N.J., its state-of-the-art pharmaceutical production and formulation R&D facility at RTP and in the field.

Health Care Company Builds at RTP

Building on an already strong pharmaceutical presence, The August C. Stiefel Research Institute (SRI), a wholly owned subsidiary of global pharmaceutical company Stiefel Laboratories Inc., plans to invest more than $50 million in RTP during the next five years, creating 200 jobs.

The facility in Durham County will conduct R&D in support of the company’s worldwide initiatives.

Stiefel Laboratories, which has its world headquarters in Coral Gables, Fla., employs nearly 2,800 workers worldwide and specializes in the research, development and manufacture of prescription and over-the-counter skin care products to treat acne, psoriasis, hyperpigmentation and other skin conditions.

The addition of SRI will bring the number of companies located in RTP to more than 135. Currently, 37,600 workers are employed in RTP in a diverse set of industry sectors, with company size ranging from one employee to more than 10,000.

Biotechnology company United Therapeutics Corp. will build a 125,000 square foot facility for administration, research and development, and manufacturing in RTP, creating 160 jobs and investing $54.3 million during the next three years. The announcement was made possible in part by a $175,000 One North Carolina Fund grant.

United Therapeutics currently operates one R&D facility in RTP, employing 28 workers.

The company develops products for patients with chronic and life-threatening cardiovascular and infectious diseases and cancer.

“We are pleased that North Carolina, through the One North Carolina Fund, welcomes our expanding pharmaceutical operations and the associated jobs that will be created in the RTP area,” said Roger Jeffs, president and chief operating officer of United Therapeutics. “We look forward to working with the state as we continue to expand our business operations.”

United Therapeutics’ decision to expand in North Carolina was based on the state’s business-friendly climate and skilled work force.

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