Eisai Inc. recently broke ground for a new pharmaceutical production and formulation research and development facility for parenteral -- or intravenous -- oncology treatments in Research Triangle Park. Eisai will invest $90 million in the 65,000 square foot facility, which 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 existing and new operations. Facility completion is anticipated in three years, with operations beginning in 2009, leading to 59 new jobs over the next three years and a total of 84 new jobs over the next five years.

Eisai has a number of drugs in development for patients with cancer and recently entered the market through the acquisition of four oncology-related products from Ligand Pharmaceuticals.

"Today's groundbreaking is a testament to our long-standing commitment to oncology as well as our exceptional growth since we first broke ground in RTP 10 years ago," said Lonnel Coats, President & COO, Eisai Inc. "We are dedicated to fulfilling our human health care mission of satisfying unmet medical needs and increasing benefits to patients with cancer."

The new facility will complement the existing 190,000 square foot structure, which is devoted to manufacturing Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride tablets) and Aciphex (rabeprazole sodium) tablets as well as formulation research and development and manufacturing of compounds for use in clinical trials.

Eisai Inc. employs more than 1,300 people at its headquarters in Teaneck, N.J., at its state-of-the-art pharmaceutical production and formulation research and development facility in Research Triangle Park, N.C., and in the field.

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