RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – April 24, 2007 – Stiefel Laboratories, Inc., Tuesday celebrated the opening of its new research and development facility in Research Triangle Park, N.C. The 155,000 square foot facility, formerly owned by Eli Lilly and Company, will house as many as 250 employees, primarily scientists, who will continue Stiefel Laboratories’ tradition of innovative research leading to the development of prescription and over-the-counter medications for a variety of skin conditions. Stiefel Laboratories has become the world’s largest independent pharmaceutical company specializing in dermatology.
"This is an extraordinary day for Stiefel Laboratories and for everyone who works on behalf of this company, not only here in the United States, but also around the globe," said Todd Stiefel, Vice President of Global Strategy at Stiefel Laboratories, Inc., and a sixth generation Stiefel participating in the leadership of the company. "This facility will be the crown jewel of research and development in our network of R&D facilities operating across the globe. We are thrilled to join the thriving and prestigious Research Triangle Park scientific and business community."
Anthony Copeland, Assistant Secretary for Business Development & Trade at the North Carolina Department of Commerce, served as keynote speaker at the grand opening event. "We are pleased to welcome this industry-leading pharmaceutical company to Research Triangle Park," he said. "The decision made by Stiefel Laboratories to locate its new R&D facility in our state is an indication that we continue to be a center for scientific and business leadership."
Stiefel Laboratories plans to invest more than $50 million in the facility over the next five years. Planned improvements include a pilot plant that will allow scale-up production for manufacturing testing and other renovations specific to the company’s research. In addition to creating and testing topical creams, gels and lotions, the new facility also will allow the company to develop oral products and topical products based on its newly acquired VersaFoam® technology. The proprietary foam delivery method was developed by Connetics Corporation, which Stiefel Laboratories acquired in 2006.
"This facility will allow us to not only expand the types of formulations we create, but also expand the variety of dermatological conditions that can be treated. This is a critical element in helping us to achieve our mission of becoming the most valued dermatological company in the world," said Marco Taglietti, MD, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Research and Development.The company has consistently been at the forefront of dermatological innovation. In the mid 1800s, company founder John D. Stiefel, working with early dermatologists, pioneered commercial methods of adding medicinal active ingredients in soap bars. In 1966, the company introduced Sulfoxyl® Lotion, the first benzoyl peroxide product for acne. And in 2002, the company launched Rosac® Cream with Sunscreens, the first prescription rosacea treatment in the U.S. with built-in sunscreens to help protect skin from the sun-the most common trigger of rosacea flare-ups.
According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the project will:
• Generate a cumulative gross product value of $200 million;
• Produce a positive, cumulative net state revenue impact of $3.4 million; and
• Contribute $1 million to the state’s Industrial Development Fund for infrastructure improvements in rural North Carolina.
Underscoring the company’s commitment to bring more than business to RTP and the broader Durham County community, Stiefel said, "We are a family company that values the opportunity to be involved in the communities in which we operate."
During Tuesday’s grand opening ceremony, Stiefel Laboratories announced the launch of its new corporate giving program. In celebration of the company’s 160th year of commitment to dermatology, a contribution is being made to The Smile Train to fund 160 surgeries for 160 new smiles. The Smile Train is the non-profit organization that performs surgeries to repair cleft lips and palates of children in the world’s poorest countries.
Please see the attachment for a product fact sheet and additional information on the groundbreaking. About Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. Founded in 1847, Stiefel Laboratories (a privately held company) is the world’s largest independent pharmaceutical company specializing in dermatology. The company manufactures and markets a variety of prescription and non-prescription dermatological products. Some of the newest and best-known brands include Duac® Topical Gel (clindamycin, 1% - benzoyl peroxide, 5%); Evoclin® (clindamycin phosphate) Foam, 1%; Luxiq® (betamethasone valerate) Foam, 0.12%; MimyX™ Cream; Olux® (clobetasol propionate) Foam, 0.05%; Olux-E™ (clobetasol propionate) Foam, 0.05%; Soriatane® (acitretin) capsules; Verdeso™ (desonide) Foam, 0.05%; Brevoxyl® Creamy Wash (benzoyl peroxide, 4% or 8%) packaged in the convenient new Brevoxyl Acne Wash Kit; Oilatum®; and Sarna®. Its wholly-owned global network is comprised of more than 30 subsidiaries, manufacturing plants in six countries, research and development facilities on four continents, and products marketed in more than 100 countries around the world.
Stiefel Laboratories supplements its R&D efforts by aggressively seeking acquisitions of dermatological product lines and companies around the world. To learn more about Stiefel Laboratories, Inc., visit www.stiefel.com.