By Al Barbarino
International biosciences firm, Roche Group, has reached an agreement to anchor a state-of-the-art medical research facility at the East River Science Park on the East Side of Manhattan. 
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced last week that Roche will invest $13 million to pave the way for the Translational Clinical Research Center, a facility that will hire 235 new employees by June 2018.
“The progress we are making in our state is resonating around the globe, bringing new industries and businesses to New York and creating more and more jobs,” Governor Cuomo said in a statement.
After Roche announced plans to close its former U.S. headquarters on the border of Nutley and Clifton in New Jersey, officials there failed to convince the pharmaceutical company to develop its new clinical research facility in New Brunswick.
Roche Group will be an anchor tenant in the second phase of the Alexandria Center for Life Science at the East River Science Park, the state-of-the-art biotech complex at the center of the East Side’s assortment of hospitals.
“We are very pleased with the selection of the Alexandria Center as this will be a strategically important site for Roche,” said Dr. Mike Burgess, global head at Roche Pharma Research and Early Development.
“We looked at several great properties in New York and New Jersey and selected the Alexandria Center for its unique location as well as the dynamic, vibrant and thriving scientific atmosphere it offers.”
In addition to the allure of a tech center in the middle of Manhattan, the Empire State Development (ESD) will provide Roche with $6.6 million in tax credits from the Excelsior Jobs Program.
“This significant expansion and investment in our bioscience industry will generate jobs and economic opportunity for years to come,” said Kenneth Adams, Empire State Development president, CEO and commissioner, in a statement. “We look forward to supporting this partnership and building on New York’s reputation for entrepreneurial innovation.”
