Syngenta Beijing biotech research centre
Date:04-23-2008
Syngenta plans to build a biotechnology research and technology centre in Beijing, China. The sites work will have global reach and support the companys research in the US. The centre will focus on early-stage evaluation of genetically modified and native traits for key crops, including maize and soybeans, to research various topics, such as disease control.
Investing in the centre signals Syngentas expansion and its growing partnerships in China. Syngenta head of research and development Dave Lawrence cites Chinas alleged biotechnological abilities and its "scale and calibre" as motivating the move to build the centre in Beijing. The goal is to "accelerate innovation" and open doors to conduct collaborative research with Chinese institutions to meet global demands, he adds. Syngenta already has some partnerships in the country. It acquired a 49% stake in the seed company, Sanbei Seed last year (Herbei), and followed this up with a five-year research agreement with the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (Beijing).
Syngenta estimates that it will make a $65 million investment inSyngenta Biotechnology (China) Co over the first five years. The centre will be built at Zhongguancun Life Science Park, where temporary facilities will allow operations to start this summer, with planned completion in 2010. The centre will start with 100 employees and grow to 200, Syngenta says.
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