Originally Published IVD Technology November/December 2003
INDUSTRY NEWS
NotablesRoche (Basel, Switzerland) will invest $155 million in the development of a new molecular diagnostics manufacturing plant in the United States. The company expects to complete the first phase of building in the second half of 2004, and complete construction of the fully operational facility by 2006. Heino von Prodzynski, head of diagnostics, said "the increased capacity of the new facility will allow for anticipated growth, especially for the blood screening and women's health product areas."
In the first half of 2004, Abbott Laboratories (Abbott Park, IL) will place 14,000 of its employees worldwide in a new spin-off company for the majority of its hospital products business. The new company's products will include medication-delivery systems as well as generic pharmaceuticals. Abbott expects that the new company will generate $2.5 billion in annual sales and $300 million net income. Abbott will keep hold of various proprietary pharmaceuticals, as well as operating room pharmaceuticals and pain management products. Releasing most of its hospital products line to the spin-off company will allow Abbott to focus its resources on its more-profitable segments, including diagnostics, nutrition, and pharmaceutical products.
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