Eisai
will build a new research and development center and add 89 new jobs at its Research Triangle Park campus, the company said Monday.
Eisai chose RTP for the $105 million expansion effort due in part to $1 million in incentives from Durham County and a $150,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund from Gov. Mike Easley's office. Durham County commissioners approved the incentives Monday night. The One North Carolina Fund grant is a tax incentive based on new job creation.
The R&D facility will cover 65,000 square feet and cost $90 million. A $15 million central utilities building will also be constructed. Some 59 jobs will be created over the next three years and 84 jobs over the next five, according to the company.
Eisai's research efforts will focus on cancer drugs that can be delivered intravenously.
"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 the company. "Our plans for the new facility in RTP demonstrate Eisai's global commitment to oncology and patients around the world."
The expansion is the third at its RTP campus since 2001. Eisai, which maintains a U.S. headquarters in New Jersey, employs 255 people in RTP.
Eisai's existing RTP facility is for drug production. The company had $2 billion in sales in fiscal year 2004. It focuses on neurological, gastrointestinal and oncology treatments. Eisai is Japan's fourth largest pharmaceutical firm.
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