Lilly to Expand San Diego Biotechnology Center

Eli Lilly is to expand the Lilly Biotechnology Center located in San Diego, CA. The expansion will effectively double Lilly's research presence in San Diego, the company reported in a press statement.  

Set to be completed in 2016, the expansion will feature an additional 175,000 square feet of working space and is expected to generate up to 130 potential new job openings, yielding a 140 percent increase in the center's space and 70 percent increase in its staff. 

The space will allow for closer collaboration among experts in discovery chemistry and research technologies and biotechnology, which will help accelerate the discovery of new medicines within the company's core therapeutic areas, including immunology.

The company states that the expansion also signifies its investment in obtaining additional top scientific talent. Specifically, it will be recruiting experts in drug discovery in the disciplines of biotechnology, chemistry and immunology and in immunological clinical development.

Lilly initially entered the San Diego area in 2004 by acquiring Applied Molecular Evolution, Inc. The Lilly Biotechnology Center was officially established in 2009.