(Research Triangle Park, N.C.) To continue the state life science industry’s record-setting growth rate, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, with the help of statewide partners, is building an addition to its Research Triangle Park headquarters.

Construction on the $10.4 million addition, planned for several years, was kick-started with a $1 million gift from the Biogen Idec Foundation’s Transformational Grants in Science Education initiative, and with leadership gifts from the Duke Energy Foundation, PPD and the Triangle University Center for Advanced Studies Inc.

“For twenty-five years, the state has invested in biotechnology research, education and business development through Biotechnology Center funding programs and collaborations,” said Robert A. Ingram, Vice Chairman, Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline and chairman of the Center’s Building Committee.

“Leadership by the Center created a thriving industry with broader needs, and we are pleased to move forward with building the infrastructure to allow the Center to extend that leadership.”

From 2001 to 2006, the state’s biotechnology-based industry grew 18.6 percent – three times the national rate and five times the rate of the state’s private sector.

“This industry contributes $45.8 billion to the state’s economy each year, a testament to the investment this Center leverages with state dollars,” said Arthur M. Pappas, chairman of the Center’s board of directors and managing partner of the venture-capital firm Pappas Ventures.

“Investing in expansion now is essential for the state to benefit from the projected high growth in life science research, development and job creation over the next 10 years.”

Since the Biotechnology Center opened in 1984, the industry has grown from a handful of companies to more than 520 companies and almost 60,000 jobs with an average salary of more than $69,000.

“We have the potential to create an additional 65,000 to 70,000 jobs by 2020 as we develop new applications of biotechnology right here in North Carolina,” said E. Norris Tolson, president and chief executive officer of the Center.

The addition will support a number of new job-creation initiatives in biotechnology leadership, entrepreneurship, K-12 education, workforce training, business development and university research programs. In addition, the expanded facility will continue to play host to an estimated 35,000 visitors annually.

The Center through its building committee chaired by Ingram and co-chaired by former Gov. Jim Martin is working to leverage the public and private funds for the expansion. Gifts to initiate the project came from:

* The Biogen Idec Foundation, whose mission is to improve the quality of people’s lives and contribute to the vitality of the communities where Biogen Idec operates. It places a special emphasis on innovative ways to promote science literacy and encourage young people to consider science careers. Biogen Idec is a global biotechnology firm with manufacturing and patient services operations in RTP;
* The Duke Energy Foundation, which supports community vitality, the environment and energy efficiency, and economic development. Duke Energy and the Center partner on business-development efforts;
* PPD, a leading global contract research organization with more than 10,000 employees, including 1,400 in Research Triangle Park and 1,500 at its corporate headquarters in Wilmington. The company provides discovery, development and post-approval services as well as compound partnering programs; and
* The Triangle University Center for Advanced Studies Inc. (TUCASI), which owns the land in Research Triangle Park that is home to the Center’s headquarters and other institutes that promote Triangle university collaboration. TUCASI brings together the scientific minds at the heart of RTP’s success.

Construction of the four-story addition is being managed by general contractor SKANSKA, which expects to employ as many as 200 people in the project. The 20,000-square-foot building will be completed in the fall of 2010.

Charlotte architectural firm Perkins + Will, which designed the original building, created the plans for the addition. The expansion will carry a LEED Silver designation for excellence in sustainable design.

The Biotechnology Center is a private, non-profit corporation supported by the N.C. General Assembly. Its mission is to provide long-term economic and societal benefits to North Carolina by supporting biotechnology research, business, education and strategic policy statewide.