Schering-Plough expands Summit site

Schering-Plough has announced continued investment to its site at Summit, New Jersey, as part of a programme to create an office campus and pharmaceutical sciences centre at the facility.

The firm reports that the expansion at this location is necessary in order to support ongoing product development efforts at the company, with the new 200,000 global clinical supply facility to encompass a pilot plant for the production of medicines for clinical trials, in addition to offices and warehouses.

Last month, the firm held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new 1,350-car parking deck at the site, an “essential” step in increasing the number of employees the site can accommodate from its current level of 1,850 up to around 3,000 by the end of 2009.

Thomas P Koestler, executive vice president and president of Schering-Plough Research Institute, said: “Schering-Plough’s ability to innovate and make progress in developing new drugs is of paramount importance to our future.”

“Our long-term investments in science and technology have led to a strong and innovative early pipeline.”

He added that the upgraded site at Summit will facilitate an increase in the firm’s ability to complete clinical trials, resulting in a rise in the number of key medications delivered to patients.

In March 2007, Schering-Plough announced the acquisition of Organon BioSciences for 11 billion euros (7.4 billion pounds) in a move designed to add to the firm’s primary care activities and expand its central nervous system and women’s healthcare product pipeline.