BATTELLE INVESTS IN THE REGION'S GROWING TECHNOLOGY, BIOTECH, HEALTHCARE INDUSTRIES WITH NEW R&D CENTER

Maryland's Governor, U.S. Senators, Congressman Speak at Opening Of $20 Million Battelle Eastern Science & Technology Center

ABERDEEN, MD-Battelle, one of the largest non-profit research and development firms in the world, today officially opened its newest research and development facility, the Battelle Eastern Science and Technology (BEST) Center.

Maryland Gov. Bob Ehrlich, U.S. Senators Barbara Mikulski and Paul Sarbanes, Congressman C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersburger (D-2), and Harford Country Executive James M. Harkin, today reaffirmed Maryland's partnership with Battelle to strengthen the development of the state's knowledge economy and the region's growing technology base.

The $20 million center, built on 89 acres at the state's new Higher Education and Applied Technology (HEAT) park in Aberdeen, is home to more than 200 scientists, engineers and technicians, and laboratories devoted to biological and chemical sciences, engineering, and technology research and development. It includes 16 state-of-the-art laboratories, offices and a conference center.

"Battelle is excited to be expanding its science and technology research and development capabilities here in Harford County," said Greg Frank, executive vice president of government market sectors for Battelle. "We are looking forward to creating new opportunities for growth as we bring technology solutions to some of the tough challenges we face as a nation and as a society."

"Battelle's partnership with State of Maryland and Harford County will serve as a catalyst to attract more biotech and technology investment to our region," Gov. Ehrlich said. "The BEST Center will bring together individuals and resources in a number of disciplines solidifying Maryland's role as a leader in emergent fields such as homeland security, biotechnology, environmental sciences, and knowledge management."

Warren Mullins, vice president of business development at the Battelle center, said, "The center is located in a major high-technology corridor, well-positioned to serve federal government agencies and the pharmaceutical industry, the majority of which are located between New Jersey and Washington, DC. This Mid-Atlantic corridor is also home to the third-largest concentration of biotechnology business, and a significant percentage of the nation's technology firms," Mullins said.

Building on Battelle's existing strengths in laboratory management, contract R&D and technology commercialization, the BEST center will be devoted to work in a number of scientific and technology fields and technology commercialization. The new center will provide private-sector and federal clients with capabilities and extensive expertise in analytical, forensic chemistry evaluation services; microbiology research, analysis and testing; consequence management services; and building protection services and equipment, among other specialties.

The BEST Center will expand the capabilities that Battelle's 450 professionals already based in the Washington region bring to the Department of Defense and other federal agencies in national security technology research and development, from chemical and biological detection, protection, and decontamination, to testing and evaluation services in programs for military and government customers.

"This new center brings the range of our services closer to customers in government and industry in three critical areas-defense and homeland security, biotechnology and healthcare, and environmental science," Frank said. "The BEST Center will help us bring innovative technology solutions to the challenges facing government and industry today." About Battelle

Battelle is a global leader in science and technology. It develops and commercializes technology and manages laboratories for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle and the national labs it manages or co-manages have 16,000 staff members and conduct more than $2 billion in annual research and development. Battelle innovations include the development of the office copier machine (Xerox), pioneering work on the compact disc, and medical technology advancements.

For more information, visit www.battelle.org or contact Media Relations Manager Katy Delaney at (614) 424-5544 or (410) 306-8500 or by e-mail at delaneyk@battelle.org