Johnson and Johnson start constructing new facility

Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development, a Johnson & Johnson company, has announced that construction work has begun on an extension to its existing site at Spring House, Pennsylvania.

Building work will add 150,000 sq ft to the compound, with the addition of a new laboratory, clinical development and office space to facilities already existing at the campus.

The company reports that this investment will enable its multidisciplinary teams to use the most modern equipment available to continue in its research and development efforts.

Following the completion of the expansion, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development will add 120 positions to the 680-strong workforce at the site.

Joseph C Sclodari, worldwide chairman of pharmaceuticals at Johnson & Johnson, said: “This expansion demonstrates our commitment to ongoing research and development as a key driver of our future success.”

He noted that over 15 major pharmaceutical products had been discovered or developed at the Spring House site, including Topamax (topiramate), Ultram (tramadol HCl) and Ultracet (acetaminophen/tramadol hydrochloride).

Earlier this week, Johnson & Johnson reported that strong sales of its pharmaceuticals had driven its revenues for the first quarter of 2007, with the company generating global sales of $15 billion (7.46 million pounds), a 15.7 per cent rise on the first quarter of 2006.