Belgian biotech firm finds a home in Philadelphia

Belgian biotech firm Eurogentec has dropped anchor at Philadelphias University City Science Center. The Liège-based company, which is Europes second-largest maker of specialized oligonucleotides for the genetic research industry, is now in the process of opening its first U.S. office, and has decided to locate it in the Science Center-Greater Philadelphias premiere high-tech business accelerator and developer of entrepreneurial communities.

Eurogentec to base U.S. operations at the Science Center

Philadelphia, PA (September 25, 2002): Belgian biotech firm Eurogentec has dropped anchor at Philadelphias University City Science Center.

The Liège-based company, which is Europes second-largest maker of specialized oligonucleotides for the genetic research industry, is now in the process of opening its first U.S. office, and has decided to locate it in the Science Center-Greater Philadelphias premiere high-tech business accelerator and developer of entrepreneurial communities.

We looked across the U.S. for a location for our first office here," said Eurogentecs President and CEO, Jean-Peirre Delwart. Because of its proximity to the major markets of the East Coast, as well as the high level of biotech work being done in Philadelphia itself, we decided this is where we should be."

Since 1985, Eurogentec has grown into Europes leading producer of specialty oligonucleotides and products for the life-science community, according to Antonio Soares, general manager of Eurogentecs U.S. operations.

We are able to offer our customers integrated solutions, whether they use DNA, antibodies, peptides or proteins as research tools," Soares said. Eurogentec also offers research and development services for the biopharmaceutical industry. Last year, Eurogentec was named Belgiums Entrepreneur of the year.

A spin-off from the University of Liège, Eurogentec is a leading supplier to genomic and proteomic researchers in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, as well as academic researchers.

Soares said that two of Eurogentecs largest potential distributors were located in the region, Fischer Scientific in New Jersey and VWR International in Pennsylvania. This was another major inducement for Eurogentec to locate in the Philadelphia region. These two are like the Sears and Wal-Mart in the industry," Soares said.

Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker welcomed the arrival of Eurogentec into the region. "Pennsylvania scores another big win with Eurogentec's decision to locate its first U.S. office in Philadelphia," Gov. Schweiker said. "As an industry leader in genetic research, Eurogentec recognizes Pennsylvania's strength as a biotech leader. More importantly, biotech companies are discovering that Pennsylvania is the ideal spot for life-sciences businesses to grow and prosper."

Soares said Eurogentec was attracted to the Science Center because of the ease by which he could set up shop. This is a completely plug and play environment, which has allowed us to quickly move in and begin operations."

The Science Center is one of the oldest and largest urban research parks in the world, and has nurture and helped launch over 250 high-tech companies over its 39-year history. Jill Felix, President/CEO of the Science Center, said Eurogentecs arrival demonstrates that Philadelphia is becoming known as a global hub for the biotech industry.

This region has tremendous resources with its concentration of world-class universities, private labs and biotech companies," Felix said. The Science Centers job is to make sure that companies like Eurogentec are able to maximize these resources to create even more wealth and jobs in the region."

University City Science Center: The Science Center is a developer of entrepreneurial communities and has helped nurture and launch over 250 technology companies. Established in 1963 and owned by a consortium of 34 academic and scientific institutions, the Science Center actively fosters collaboration among its shareholder institutions and the private sector to promote the commercialization of new technology and the creation of regional wealth. The Science Center has also assisted in the development of research parks around the world including Kyoto, Japan; Sydney, Australia; Oxford, England; and Bangkok, Thailand. www.ucsc.org

Eurogentec: Tel : 215.966.6135: a.soares@eurogentec.com, www.eurogentec.com