Biozeen is a biotech consultant. Co-founder lives in Easton.
The company, Biozeen, is a division of Bangalore Biotech Labs. It provides engineering, consulting, research and training to pharmaceutical and biotech firms. The company operates a training facility in Bangalore for engineers and other workers in the biotech field. It offers courses in animal cell culture and microbial fermentation, among others.
It's not clear how many people Biozeen will employ when it opens an office here, nor where it will locate in the Lehigh Valley. The announcement came from the state Department of Community and Economic Development, which said the company might eventually employ 30 to 50 people in the Valley.
While the company has operations in India, its management has roots in the Valley. Biozeen's co-founder and chairman, Cherian Philip, lives in Easton. He was until recently the general manager of Sartorius BBI Systems of Bethlehem Township. Sartorius, formerly known as B. Braun Biotech, makes fermenters and other equipment for biotech and drug companies.
The announcement is the reverse of what's become common news. Many American companies have set up offices in India or outsourced manufacturing there. Agere Systems, for example, opened its second chip design operation in India last year. The Hanover Township, Lehigh County, chipmaker employs chip and software designers at its Indian operations. The company said its presence there helps facilitate interaction with clients in Asia.
Pennsylvania has stepped up its investment in attracting companies with international operations. The state added $15 million to the 2006-07 budget for international business development. It has 22 international trade representatives, including one in India.
''We are deeply committed to broadening our cooperation and facilitating trade and investment in the region,'' said state Secretary of Community and Economic Development Dennis Yablonsky in a statement. He was in Bangalore on a trade mission Friday.
A department spokesman said Biozeen will be eligible for incentives because it will bring jobs to the state. The state offers grants, loans and tax credits to any company that relocates here or to existing businesses that add jobs.
No comments:
Post a Comment