Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, recently broke ground on a new Research Center in Oro Valley, Ariz. The company, which has had a presence in Tucson for more than 17 years, announced the purchase of more than 11 acres in Innovation Park last year to support the future expansion of its research and development center.

The new research center will be housed in a state-of-the-art facility located in the 300-acre, high-tech campus, which is becoming a significant biotech hub for Pima County.

The proposed 110,350 square foot research center will more than double the space at the company’s current facility on Hanley Boulevard. In addition, the new facility is being designed to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified rating. Sanofi-aventis is committed to excellence in the design, safety and construction of its new research facility.

“The Oro Valley center plays an important role in sanofi-aventis’ future research goals,” says Jean-Marc Herbert, senior vice president of Discovery Research for sanofi-aventis. “Since its beginnings as a startup biotech 17 years ago, the Oro Valley site and its employees have continued to bring their passion, creativity and entrepreneurial, biotech spirit to their drug discovery efforts. This new, state-of-the-art facility will enable our local scientific team to enhance its impact on the sanofi-aventis drug discovery pipeline, laying down the foundation for bringing new, effective medicines to patients around the world.”

Construction of the new facility is scheduled to begin end of November, with an estimated completion date by June 2009.

For MORE NEWS BRIEFS, click here.

For a FREE SUBSCRIPTION to Expansion Management magazine, click here.

For MORE NEWS BRIEFS SORTED BY STATE, click here.

For MORE NEWS BRIEFS SORTED BY INDUSTRY or FUNCTION, click here.

For MORE NEWS BRIEFS SORTED BY COUNTRY, click here.