Novo to open development ops in Seattle

Novo Nordisk's push to explore new therapeutic areas has brought it to Seattle, WA, where the Danish company plans to open a research center. The developer, which is known for its diabetes drugs, is pursuing development of oncology and inflammation drugs, and Seattle seems like just the place to do that. "There is a pool of talent in Seattle and a track record of therapeutic discovery here," Don Foster, who will head the site, told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. "I think the idea is that Seattle has got some infrastructure. It is a nucleus for research in this area." Amgen and ZemoGenetics, which are both pursuing similar indications, are also based in the region.

Novo Nordisk will focus on several diseases, including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and systemic lupus erythmatosus. This site is expected to open in 2010 and will employ 80 people.

- read this Seattle Post-Intelligencer article for more