Advanced Life Sciences acquires new Woodridge headquarters
41,000 sq. ft. laboratory/office facility will further
expansion of the Argonne Biotech Corridor

 

Woodridge, Ill, April 22, 2003 - Advanced Life Sciences, Inc. (ALS) has completed a deal to purchase a 41,000 sq. ft. building in Woodridge that will house the company's corporate headquarters and R&D laboratory facilities, announced Michael T. Flavin, Ph.D., ALS's chief executive officer.

The new facility, to be called the ALS Product Development Center & Headquarters, will be located at 1440 Davey Rd., nearby the company's existing offices. The first phase of build out will include corporate offices and the expansion of laboratory operations. This expansion to include laboratory operations will give Advanced Life Sciences more control over critical issues and decisions encountered in the early stages of drug discovery and development. In addition, the added laboratory capabilities enhance ALS' position as an attractive collaborative partner to other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

"We believe that the location of our new facility, as well as our expansion of operations, will have a direct and positive impact on the further realization of the Argonne Biotechnology Corridor, a fast growing biotechnology area, anchored by Argonne National Laboratory," Dr. Flavin said. "The Chicago Technology Park anchors a strong city-based arm of biotechnology. A third arm has developed from the Northwestern Research Park and continues up the North Shore to the headquarters of Abbott and Baxter. The Argonne Corridor, the Tech Park and the North Shore Corridor are all centers of excellence in discovery and development that are helping to establish Chicago's position as a world-class biotechnology hub."

Dr. Flavin noted that he expects the new headquarters to be completed in time for October occupancy. At full capacity the facility will house up to 50 scientists and business professionals.

"We are delighted to welcome Advanced Life Science's new corporate headquarters and product development center to Woodridge," said William Murphy, Woodridge mayor. "We were extremely pleased that they selected Woodridge a third time for their continuing expansion. Their decision is evidence that Woodridge's easy access and proximity to Argonne National Laboratories offers an ideal location for biotechnology facilities. We have enjoyed having Advanced Life Sciences as a part of our business community and look forward to their continued success in Woodridge."

Advanced Life Sciences is a privately held biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of novel drugs in the therapeutic areas of infection, cancer and inflammation using its platform in natural products and chemical proteomics coupled with expertise in drug development. (www.advancedlifesciences.com)

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