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Frankfurt Biotechnology Innovation Center plans large expansion with Merz Pharma
FIZ Frankfurt Biotechnology Innovation Center rents 80% of its new research facilities to Merz Pharma before the construction phase has even started
Frankfurt am Main, 01.02.2007
FIZ Frankfurter Innovationszentrum Biotechnologie GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, will begin its expansion via a second construction phase in spring 2007 and will more than double its rental lab space. This was announced today by FIZ and Merz Pharma. "Within a short period of time, FIZ has become an important address for innovation, research, and entrepreneurship," states Roland Koch, Chair of FIZ and Prime Minister of the State of Hesse. The initial FIZ building complex, consisting of 6400 sqm, is completely occupied. As a result of the continued high demand, FIZ is expanding with the addition of 8000 sqm of new lab and office space. Merz GmbH & Co. KGaA, Frankfurt am Main, will rent 80% of the new building complex.
"The commitment of Merz to use the FIZ infrastructure for research and further growth proves that we are succeeding with the development of the Science City Frankfurt-Riedberg", asserts Petra Roth, Mayor of Frankfurt am Main.
Merz Pharma is an international pharmaceutical company and a leader in the field of Alzheimer's research. It developed the world's first drug for the treatment of moderate to severe stages of Alzheimer's disease. With its partner Forest Laboratories, the Frankfurt based company has reached a market share of more than 30% of new drug prescriptions in America. In the spring of 2006, Merz moved part of its research department into FIZ. In the second building complex, Merz will intensify its research activities. Commenting on the decision of Merz to move into FIZ, Professor Dr. Bernhard Scheuble, CEO of the Merz-group declares, "Last year, within our research and development department alone, we created 58 new full time jobs, strengthening our research activities in the areas of neurology as well as in the area of dermatology. We are pleased to work in state-of-the-art laboratories and to benefit from the synergies between the university and research institutes."
The occupants of the FIZ complex benefit from its proximity to the scientific faculties of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, the Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysics, the future Max-Planck-Institute for Brain Research, and the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS). In addition, FIZ works closely with regional and national research institutes such as the recently assigned excellence cluster "Cardio-Pulmonary Systems" of the Frankfurt – and Gießen universities. Globally, FIZ collaborates with the Wisconsin University Research Park (USA) and the Paharpur Business Centre in New Delhi, as well as other international research institutions.
"The decision of Merz Pharma clearly demonstrates that innovative infrastructure measures such as FIZ are setting the trend in the region. These measures create an attractive environment for private investment, reinforce the high tech location FrankfurtRhineMain and significantly stimulate economic growth and the labor market," maintains Prime Minister Roland Koch.
"Within two years, approximately 120 highly qualified jobs were created or secured in the region through FIZ. With the expansion of FIZ, another 180 top pharmaceutical research jobs could be added in the region," contends the mayor of Frankfurt, Petra Roth. "FIZ is a pioneer," proclaims Dr. Joachim v. Harbou, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Frankfurt. "Innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship are the pre-requisites for high performance of an economy. Through intelligent networking, the conditions for economic independence and applicable research improve significantly."
"With the attraction of Merz Pharma, FIZ succeeded in winning a prominent company for the Science City Frankfurt-Riedberg that supports the strengthening of the critical mass of the developing life science cluster. The decision also emphasizes the attractiveness of FIZ for research companies", asserts Dr. Christian Garbe, Managing Director of FIZ Frankfurter Innovationszentrum Biotechnologie GmbH.
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Merz
Merz is an international pharmaceutical company. Its subsidiary, Merz Pharmaceuticals, focuses on drugs for treating neurological and psychiatric diseases and disorders. Merz Pharmaceuticals is a leader in the area of Alzheimer research. Merz developed Memantine, the first active ingredient for treating moderate to severe stages of Alzheimer's disease. Additional research areas are dermatology and metabolic disorders.
Merz employs 1.900 people world wide.
(www.merz.com)
FIZ Frankfurter Innovationszentrum Biotechnologie
FIZ, the Frankfurt Biotechnology Innovation Center, Frankfurt am Main, is a research cluster that works closely with industries, consequently making business cooperation possible worldwide. The shareholders of FIZ are the State of Hesse, the City of Frankfurt am Main, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Frankfurt am Main. FIZ is characterized by its central management, its open dialogue platform, and its focus on inflammatory diseases, diseases of the central nervous system, and proteomics. Currently, FIZ offers 6.400 sqm of office and laboratory space. With the completion of the second construction phase FIZ will more than double its size to approximately 14.000 sqm. In addition, FIZ offers an international conference management service for the life science sector with ideal infrastructural access. FIZ is located in the Science City Frankfurt-Riedberg in close proximity to the scientific faculties of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, two Max-Planck-Institutes, the FIAS, and ZAFES.
(www.fiz-biotech.de).
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Ihr Ansprechpartner bei Merz Pharma:
Merz GmbH & Co. KGaACorporate Communications
Ute Weinhold
Tel.: + 49 (0) 69 / 15 03 - 889
Fax: + 49 (0) 69 / 15 03 - 400
E-Mail: ute.weinhold@merz.de
Ihre Ansprechpartner beim FIZ Frankfurter Innovationszentrum Biotechnologie:
FIZ Frankfurter Innovationszentrum Biotechnologie GmbHCarmen Schulz:
Tel.: + 49 (0) 69 800 865 -14
Fax: + 49 (0) 69 800 865 -19
E-Mail: carmen.schulz@fiz-biotech.de
Intellisource GmbH
Ulrich Siebert:
Tel.: + 49 (0) 69 98 19 64 - 10
Fax: + 49 (0) 69 98 19 64 - 45
E-Mail: us@intellisource.de
WWW: www.fiz-biotech.de
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