~ More than 100 new jobs created with assistance of Quebec government ~
Dorval, Quebec (November 15, 2002) -- Mr. Ian T. Clark, President, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. and Mrs. Rita Dionne-Marsolais, Minister of State for the Energy, today announced a $15 million investment towards the construction of a new national head office building for the Swiss pharmaceutical multinational. This investment, which will be supported by a contribution of $1 million from the Government of Quebec, will allow the creation of 109 new high-quality positions at the company's Canadian headquarters in Dorval, Quebec.
"The creation of this new head office is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to the Province of Quebec and to the City of Montreal," says Mr. Ian Clark. "With the launch of several innovative treatments in the fields of oncology, cardiovascular disease, women's health and central nervous system disorders, our company is enjoying strong growth that requires the creation of high-quality positions and an expansion of our premises. An environment that truly values innovation, such as the one we have in Quebec, definitely fosters investments like the one we are announcing today."
"The contribution of the Government of Quebec is a testimony to our strong commitment to the Quebec pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry," says Minister Dionne Marsolais. "Quebec holds an enviable position in this sector in North America. Our objective is to maintain our leadership through the support of new investments and the creation of highly-valued jobs."
Construction of the six-story facility will start immediately and should be completed in the fall of 2003. Once completed, the new building will house close to 350 employees currently located in two separate buildings on the same premises.
The new infrastructure will be erected beside the existing head office building at 385 Bouchard and will represent a total surface area of approximately 147,000 square feet (13,660 square metres). The new structure will house all the main functions of the company in Canada, including Medical Affairs, Marketing, Legal and Corporate Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Finance, Human Resources and Administration, and Information Technology. The firm, Brian Elsden Burrows Architects, designed the new structure.
Novartis invests significantly in local research and development. Approximately $34 million in research and development was invested in Canada in 2001, more than half of which was invested in the Province of Quebec. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada contributes 9 percent of the patients involved in Novartis clinical trials around the world, in comparison to the United States, which provides 14 percent.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals has a long-standing history in Montreal dating back to the 1920's when the two companies that merged to create Novartis were founded in this city.
About Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., a leader in the healthcare field, is committed to the discovery, development and marketing of innovative products to improve the well being of all Canadians. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada conducts hundreds of clinical trials across the country seeking new treatments for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, organ transplantation and glaucoma. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. employs approximately 700 people in Canada and its headquarters are located in Dorval, Quebec. In addition to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., the Novartis Group in Canada consists of Novartis Animal Health Canada Inc., Novartis Consumer Health Canada Inc. (including Novartis Nutrition Corporation and Gerber [Canada] Inc.) and CIBA Vision Canada Inc.
For further information about Novartis Canada, please consult:
