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Isolagen, Inc., Acquires Corporate Center in Switzerland for Cell Therapy Processing and Regional Executive Offices

 

$25 million investment includes renovations aimed at 2006 start-up

Staffing could reach 250 serving international markets

 

WASHINGTON, May 3 – Isolagen, Inc., (AMEX: ILE) has acquired a 5-acre office campus in Switzerland formerly used by Ascom, reports Mario Brossi of the Swiss inward investment agency Location: Switzerland, based here.  Headquartered in Exton, PA, Isolagen (www.isolagen.com) develops and commercializes autologous cellular therapies.  It is investing up to $25 million including renovations to the Canton of Neuchatel facility to serve its European cell processing and management functions for several international markets, Mr. Brossi said. 

 

Once the initial phase of development is complete and operational in 2006, staffing can reach 250.  The facility’s capacity is expected to be 50,000 procedures annually.

 

According to Isolagen’s chairman Frank DeLape, “The acquisition of the campus is the result of a comprehensive search for a facility capable of providing us with the logistical flexibility and scalability to expand our international operations.  This site was selected for several reasons including the highly educated, multi-lingual workforce, its location in the Zurich-Geneva life sciences and biotech corridor and excellent transportation infrastructure, making it easy to reach all locations within the EMEA region.” 

 

Mr. DeLape added, “The facility will also provide us with the logistical flexibility and scalability to pursue development of at least eight other major markets over the next 18 months including Germany, Italy, Greece, Spain, France, Brazil, Korea and Hong Kong.”

 

Other site factors included excellent cooperation from regional development authorities in securing the site and in expediting work permits and other procedures necessary to establish a major base of operations in the heart of Europe.

 

Isolagen in Switzerland (2)

 

Mr. Brossi of Location: Switzerland said that the investment by Isolagen “further strengthens Switzerland’s role as a major center in Europe for biotechnology, the life sciences and related fields. Other recent investments or expansions in the country include Biogen Idec’s new international headquarters, Sigma-Aldrich adding a cGMP kilo laboratory to its biochemical and organic chemical products operations, Celgene Corporation’s first European production center, Cryocath’s European headquarters in Lausanne, and Invacare International’s transferred European headquarters from France.”

 

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Media Contacts: 

Isolagen: Melissa Barnes, Ruder Finn 212 593-5841

Location: Switzerland: John Williamson 908 730-9622