Genzyme Oncology, one of the world's leading biotechnology companies, announced a $1.9 million renovation of its San Antonio facilities at the Texas Research Park in western Bexar County. Genzyme's expansion and enhancement plan creates four construction projects, bringing its total lease space to 21,000 square feet at the Texas Research Park.

"With finish-out completed on two projects, a third under construction and a fourth set to begin, Genzyme continues its commitment to research and drug development in San Antonio," said Ron Tefteller, Genzyme Oncology's vice president and San Antonio operations manager. "We are pleased to see our product supply operations grow in a city with an emerging reputation in the bioscience industry."

The High Potency Lab, designed by Kell-Munoz Architects and managed by Metropolitan Contracting, requires special equipment to protect the researcher from exposure to toxic or potent compounds.

"In the future, this new lab will allow for the addition of more development chemists to support both the oncology and renal business units," Bauer said. "This lab will be unique within Genzyme Corporation's global presence in the process development of small molecules."

A Preclinical Research Facility, scheduled for March 2007 completion, will be used to define pharmacological activity of new compounds.

"While Genzyme has a similar lab in Framingham, Massachusetts, the capacity of the San Antonio facility will be greater and will allow us to conduct studies outside of oncology as activity levels demand,” said Steven Schmid, Ph.D., Director of Pharmacology.

Genzyme, which has grown to more than 8,500 employees worldwide, was founded 25 years ago.

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