ANDOVER, Mass., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Eisai Research Institute of Boston, Inc., a pharmaceutical research and development subsidiary of Tokyo- based Eisai Co., Ltd., today announces the opening of a new facility at its site in Andover, MA. The 150,000 square foot structure will consolidate basic discovery research operations and provide for future growth. The $65 million facility will be devoted to discovery research utilizing a combination of natural products-based synthetic organic chemistry and target- oriented biology to identify and develop drug compounds. The company has been successful in contributing to a pipeline of compounds in the fields of cancer and immunology, and as part of Eisai Co., Ltd.'s fifth mid-term business plan, the "Dramatic Leap Plan," the state-of-the-art laboratories and office space will provide increased opportunity for scientific discovery and compound selection. Currently two compounds discovered at Eisai Research Institute are being tested in Phase III clinical trials globally. One is a potential treatment for severe sepsis and the other is for cancer. Additional compounds discovered at Eisai Research Institute are in preclinical and clinical development for the treatment of cancer and other disease. In addition to the new building, Eisai Research Institute occupies adjacent laboratories at Four Corporate Drive and a pilot plant facility across the highway for a total of approximately 250,000 square feet. Of the approximately 200 employees, more than 160 will be located in the new facility. "We are delighted to commemorate today's dedication," said Michael Lewis, President, Eisai Research Institute. "We are confident that the environment we have created will actively promote the atmosphere of collaboration and teamwork that has been a critical source of Eisai's cutting edge science." Special guests scheduled to attend today's ribbon-cutting ceremony include State Senator Susan Tucker; State Representative Barry Feingold; State Representative Barbara L'Italien; Andover Town Manager Reginald Stapczynski; Dr. Yoshito Kishi, Morris Loeb Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus, Harvard University; and representatives from other Eisai Network Companies including Mr. Haruo Naito, President and CEO, Eisai Co., Ltd.; Dr. Kentaro Yoshimatsu, President Eisai R&D Management Co., Ltd.; Mr. Hajime Shimizu, Chairman and CEO, Eisai Inc., and President, Eisai Corporation of North America; and Mr. Lonnel Coats, President and COO, Eisai Inc. About Eisai Research Institute of Boston, Inc. Eisai Research Institute of Boston, Inc., is a U.S. subsidiary of Eisai Co., Ltd., a research-based human health care (hhc) company that discovers, develops and markets products throughout the world. Established in 1987, Eisai Research Institute combines the innovative qualities of a small entrepreneurial company with the global resources and savvy of an international one, allowing for efficient project advancement and the opportunity for employees to contribute to all aspects of the drug discovery and development process. Eisai Research Institute's drug discovery research utilizes a combination of natural products-based synthetic organic chemistry and target-oriented biology to identify and develop drug compounds that further the company's human health care mission to satisfy unmet medical needs and increase benefits to patients and their families. A distinctive feature of Eisai Research Institute is its focus and expertise in the synthesis of complex organic molecules derived from nature. Research efforts have contributed to a pipeline of compounds in two therapeutic areas -- cancer and immunology. Contact: Cathy Pollini Paul Kidwell Eisai Paul Kidwell PR 201-287-2052 617-680-1088 DATASOURCE: Eisai Research Institute of Boston, Inc. CONTACT: Cathy Pollini, Eisai, +1-201-287-2052; Paul Kidwell, Paul Kidwell PR, +1-617-680-1088

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