Drugmaker Eli Lilly aims to become more nimble with innovation by opening a state-of-the-art biotechnology centre in San Diego, US.
The Indianapolis-based company has consolidated two San Diego biotech companies into a refurbished, environmentally friendly facility, which produces renewable energy via solar panels and uses water-saving features.
The new Lilly Biotechnology Centre - San Diego joins a research centre in New York for biotech ImClone systems, which Lilly bought last year, and a biotech research complex that the company has built in Indianapolis.
"We are moving full speed ahead toward building a biotechnology powerhouse," said John Lechleiter, chief executive of Lilly. "The science, technology and talent at our new centre in San Diego will help bring novel biotech medicines to patients faster and more efficiently."
Approximately 200 scientists will be based at the centre. More than half are from Applied Molecular Evolution (AME), a Lilly subsidiary that discovers, engineers and develops biotechnology-based therapies built from human proteins.
Scientists from discovery chemistry research and technology (DCRT), a division within Lilly that includes scientists from what was previously known as SGX Pharmaceuticals, will also use the centre.
More than 50% of Lilly's mid- to late-stage pipeline now consists of biologics medicines for diseases including diabetes, cancer, autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal disorders and Alzheimer's disease, said Steve Paul, executive vice president, science and technology, and president of Lilly Research Laboratories.
AME has helped develop eight of approximately 60 molecules in Lilly's current clinical pipeline.
Work at the new biotechnology centre will mainly be focused on discovering, engineering and conducting Phase I and II clinical trials on potential biologic medicines, with an emphasis on cancer, diabetes and autoimmune diseases.