Two of Carlsbad's existing biotech firms are expanding, and in the process reaffirming our city's reputation as a center for the life-sciences industry.
The city's relationship with Isis Pharmaceuticals and Life Technologies, two global biotech firms, has been prosperous for all of us.
Isis is building a new 172,000-square-foot research, development and corporate headquarters complex in the Carlsbad Oaks North Business Park, off Faraday Avenue. The new building, which is being developed by BioMed Realty Trust, represents a $70 million-to-$80 million investment in Isis' future.
And Life Technologies, which relocated to Carlsbad from Sorrento Valley in 1997, when the company was known as Invitrogen, is expanding its campus at Faraday Avenue and Van Allen Way.
The Carlsbad Community & Economic Development Department has helped these two prestigious companies by providing support and assistance in guiding them through the development process.
The city's aware that either firm could have located anywhere, but chose Carlsbad, and it's our job to do our part in helping to assure they can thrive in their efforts to deliver life-saving medicines and technologies to the world.
"We're in the process of building a global corporate headquarters and creating our overall campus," said Jon Allen, Life Technologies' director of facilities. "Currently we have more than 600,000 square feet total, and a work force of about 1,700."
That's here in Carlsbad. "We have more than 4 million square feet all over the world," Allen said.
"Over the years, as we've worked with a lot of people in the city, they understand what our needs are," Allen said. "We have helped the city understand biotechnology a little better, and they have helped us understand the local business climate as well."
"The more you have other biotech companies, there's a lot of good synergies, good exchanges, good collaboration," Allen said, noting that Isis is one of its customers.
Isis, which develops genetically based drugs to treat disease, has grown to 320 employees in the city. When it moves into its new building in August, it will vacate three smaller buildings on Rutherford Road.
"We've been here 21 years," said Grant Bryce, Isis' vice president of corporate development. "We intend to stay here because we enjoy the relationship with the city."
He noted that Carlsbad is near the University of California San Diego and other institutions and firms that train and attract scientists who specialize in biotechnology.
BioMed Realty Trust, a real estate investment trust whose $4 billion portfolio is exclusively dedicated to the life-sciences industry, has partnered with Isis to develop its new home, and will own and maintain it.
"Isis has very stringent needs in research, development and manufacturing," said Rick Howe, Biomed Realty's director of corporate communications. Howe said San Diego has established itself as a biotech cluster, and Carlsbad is a submarket in that cluster.
The City of Carlsbad has worked with biotech companies for more than two decades, so we understand their needs.
Ted Tchang, President of Techbilt Cos., which developed and owns the Carlsbad Oaks North Business Park, noted that Isis wanted to raise a building as quickly possible, but the firm needed more ground area than its selected parcel provided.
The city's Business Assistance Team stepped in to help the developer solve that problem.
Tchang said, "The city of Carlsbad worked with us to complete a boundary adjustment and re-grading, to make that possible."
Isis began its process in summer 2009 and pulled its construction permit in June 2010. And it will occupy the new building in August.
"That is an almost unheard of speed," Tchang said.
The Carlsbad Economic & Development Department saw assisting Isis as a win-win-win, because the Carlsbad Oaks North Business Park would gain a marquee tenant as its first occupant, Isis would get a new home, and Carlsbad would solidify its own global reputation as a biotech cluster.
The city's relationship with Isis Pharmaceuticals and Life Technologies, two global biotech firms, has been prosperous for all of us.
Isis is building a new 172,000-square-foot research, development and corporate headquarters complex in the Carlsbad Oaks North Business Park, off Faraday Avenue. The new building, which is being developed by BioMed Realty Trust, represents a $70 million-to-$80 million investment in Isis' future.
And Life Technologies, which relocated to Carlsbad from Sorrento Valley in 1997, when the company was known as Invitrogen, is expanding its campus at Faraday Avenue and Van Allen Way.
The Carlsbad Community & Economic Development Department has helped these two prestigious companies by providing support and assistance in guiding them through the development process.
The city's aware that either firm could have located anywhere, but chose Carlsbad, and it's our job to do our part in helping to assure they can thrive in their efforts to deliver life-saving medicines and technologies to the world.
"We're in the process of building a global corporate headquarters and creating our overall campus," said Jon Allen, Life Technologies' director of facilities. "Currently we have more than 600,000 square feet total, and a work force of about 1,700."
That's here in Carlsbad. "We have more than 4 million square feet all over the world," Allen said.
"Over the years, as we've worked with a lot of people in the city, they understand what our needs are," Allen said. "We have helped the city understand biotechnology a little better, and they have helped us understand the local business climate as well."
"The more you have other biotech companies, there's a lot of good synergies, good exchanges, good collaboration," Allen said, noting that Isis is one of its customers.
Isis, which develops genetically based drugs to treat disease, has grown to 320 employees in the city. When it moves into its new building in August, it will vacate three smaller buildings on Rutherford Road.
"We've been here 21 years," said Grant Bryce, Isis' vice president of corporate development. "We intend to stay here because we enjoy the relationship with the city."
He noted that Carlsbad is near the University of California San Diego and other institutions and firms that train and attract scientists who specialize in biotechnology.
BioMed Realty Trust, a real estate investment trust whose $4 billion portfolio is exclusively dedicated to the life-sciences industry, has partnered with Isis to develop its new home, and will own and maintain it.
"Isis has very stringent needs in research, development and manufacturing," said Rick Howe, Biomed Realty's director of corporate communications. Howe said San Diego has established itself as a biotech cluster, and Carlsbad is a submarket in that cluster.
The City of Carlsbad has worked with biotech companies for more than two decades, so we understand their needs.
Ted Tchang, President of Techbilt Cos., which developed and owns the Carlsbad Oaks North Business Park, noted that Isis wanted to raise a building as quickly possible, but the firm needed more ground area than its selected parcel provided.
The city's Business Assistance Team stepped in to help the developer solve that problem.
Tchang said, "The city of Carlsbad worked with us to complete a boundary adjustment and re-grading, to make that possible."
Isis began its process in summer 2009 and pulled its construction permit in June 2010. And it will occupy the new building in August.
"That is an almost unheard of speed," Tchang said.
The Carlsbad Economic & Development Department saw assisting Isis as a win-win-win, because the Carlsbad Oaks North Business Park would gain a marquee tenant as its first occupant, Isis would get a new home, and Carlsbad would solidify its own global reputation as a biotech cluster.