Botox maker Allergan announces R&D expansion in Bridgewater
May 18th, 2012 // 12:30 pm @ jmpickett
Allergan, which makes Botox, will build a nearly $12 million research and development facility in Bridgewater, the company and the site’s owner, SJP Properties, announced yesterday.
Based in California, Allergan first said it was considering expanding in New Jersey in November, when it was awarded a $14.9 million grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority through the Business Employment Incentive Program.
The company has a smaller facility in Bedminster, where it employs 20 people. The new, 93,000-square-foot facility will bring nearly 400 new jobs to the state.
The company chose the site in New Jersey because of the local talent pool in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry, as well as its proximity to hospitals and universities, said spokeswoman Cathy Taylor.
“As a multispecialty health care company, a critical component to our business is the scientific innovation derived from the work of our R&D facilities throughout the United States,” Taylor said. “The expansion of our facility in New Jersey will enable us to further enhance our product pipeline and advance our pursuit of novel medical therapies for patients.”
The facility will be part of SJP Properties’ Somerset Corporate Center campus, a series of energy-efficient office buildings in Bridgewater. Allergan’s new neighbors include Juniper Networks, Qualcomm, Merrill Lynch, Aon Consulting and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, SJP said in a statement.
Gov. Chris Christie heralded the news and said attracting companies to New Jersey is one of his administration’s main goals.
“Allergan’s decision to expand its operations in New Jersey will create hundreds of high-quality jobs and is proof that the pro-business policies of this administration are helping to attract and retain both large and small businesses here in the state,” said Christie. “Working diligently to attract leading companies such as Allergan to New Jersey to improve our long-term economic prospects has been a top priority of mine since I took office.”
Allergan is a global company with a presence in more than 100 countries. It focuses on several medical specialties, and also manufactures Restasis and the Lap-Band used in gastric surgery.
