$36-million centre will specialize in infectious diseases like Hepatitis C and HIV
The Gazette
Published: Tuesday, May 27
Boehringer
Ingelheim, one of the world's 20 largest pharmaceutical research and
development companies, yesterday unveiled a $36-million research centre
in Laval that will specialize in infectious diseases such as Hepatitis
C and HIV.
The Laval facility will be one of four principal
research centres around the world for Boehringer Ingelheim, a
German-based company that has roots dating back more than century.
Jobs will be created for another 40 scientists, who will join the existing team of 150 researchers.
"We are drawing on talent here in Quebec and Canada to discover and
develop medicines that will help in the fight against the growing
problem of infectious virological diseases around the world," said Dr.
Andreas Barner, head of corporate board division pharma research.
Ian
Mills, president and chief executive of Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada),
said the investment confirmed the company's "strong and sustained
dedication to carrying out innovative research that supports products
of high therapeutic value."
"For this to continue, we need
federal legislative and regulatory action which ensures protection of
intellectual property and encourages innovation," he said.
Mills made the comment at a ceremony attended by federal, provincial and municipal politicians.
Boehringer
Ingelheim, which has been present in Canada since 1972, spent almost
$100 million on research and development in Canada last year, about
half of it in Laval. Of its 39,800 employees in 47 countries, Canada
accounts for more than 700.
Christian Boehringer, chairman of the
company's shareholders' committee, said the Laval facility already has
contributed to scientific discovery in the area of virology.
"This
site is expected to make an even greater contribution to the
translation of scientific discoveries into drugs which help patients,"
he said.
"And that is what Boehringer Ingelheim stands for, research into health areas of unmet need."
http://www.canada.com
 |
News 
Subscribe to this comment's feed