J&J plans Belgian plant:

New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson will invest $166m in a new factory in Geel, Belgium, for its subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceutica, Belgian newspaper Le Soir has reported. J&J employs 800 workers in Geel and is expected to create 50 jobs at the factory.

Genzyme moves into Dubai:

Genzyme Corporation, a global biotechnology company based in Massachusetts, has announced the opening of a Middle East office in Dubai. “It will allow us to understand and address the specific health care systems and business environments of the area better,” said Sandford Smith, Genzyme president, International Group.

Novartis invests in China:

Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis AG has announced plans for a $100m integrated research and development centre in Shanghai that will initially focus on cancers common in China. A temporary facility is due to open by May 2007, with a larger permanent site opening later in 2007, Novartis said.

Acta opens UK centre:

The Acta Group EU, an affiliate of Washington, DC-based consulting firm Acta Group, has opened a centre in Cheshire, UK, with a team of specialists in product registration, regulatory issues and toxicology as a ‘centre of expertise’ for industry. One reason behind the move is the increasing challenges international businesses encounter in EU markets.

Eisai drug plant for US:

Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai has announced that it will build a $90m facility in North Carolina to research and produce intravenous drugs to treat cancer. It will create 84 jobs over the next five years

VWR subsidiary for India:

US-based VWR International, a leader in the global research laboratory industry, has announced the establishment of a full-service, wholly owned subsidiary in Bangalore, India, to serve the needs of the pharmaceutical and biotech industry in the subcontinent.