August 4, 2006

BATTELLE DEDICATES NEW LABORATORY WING AT WEST JEFFERSON BIOMEDICAL FACILITY

West Jefferson, OH--Battelle dedicated an expansion of its Biomedical Research Center in a ribbon-cutting ceremony today.

The new $25 million laboratory wing adds 54,000 square feet of research laboratory and office space to the research complex.

With investments of more than $45 million over the last six years the total facility size now tops 190,000 square feet. The Battelle Biomedical Research Center (BBRC) is one of the largest, private, biomedical laboratories in the country.

Researchers and scientists perform vital work including testing new vaccines, therapeutics, and antidotes supporting a variety of government biological defense programs and pharmaceutical company product development. Research conducted at the West Jefferson complex also has contributed to medical advances in emerging infectious diseases, medical chemical defense therapeutics, and treatment for infant botulism. The center has conducted research for the last 23 years into protective measures against chemical and biological threats faced by U.S. troops.

Attending the event were U.S. Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Columbus); guest speaker Anna Johnson-Winegar, former Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Chemical and Biological Defense; and Frank Samuel, Science and Technology Advisor to Ohio Governor Bob Taft. Other state and local dignitaries attended, joining a variety of clients, and staff for the ceremony and tours of the lab.

"This is a truly unique national resource," said Steve Kelly, Senior Vice President for Battelle's National Security Division. "The expanded facility will allow our staff to provide both more support and improved capabilities for major U.S. and international programs."

"One would be hard pressed to find another group that possesses the hands-on expertise to work with both chemical and biological agents, who are skilled in completing difficult and complex projects, and who are well versed in the requirements for FDA approval," said Johnson-Winegar.

"It's certainly good news for our local economy," said Pryce. "Battelle's expansion will augment the already impressive research and development resources in Central Ohio."

Battelle is a global leader in science and technology. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, it develops and commercializes technology and manages laboratories for customers. Battelle, with the national labs it manages or co-manages, oversees 20,000 staff members and conducts $3.4 billion in annual research and development. Battelle innovations have included the development of the office copier machine (Xerox); pioneering work on compact disc technology; fiber optics for telecommunications; development of new medical products to fight diabetes, cancer and heart disease; breakthroughs in environmental waste treatment; homeland security technologies; and advancements in transportation safety and security.

For more information, visit www.battelle.org or contact Media Relations Managers Katy Delaney at (410) 306-8638 or at delaneyk@battelle.org or Mark Berry at (614) 424-5544 or at berrym@battelle.org.