Synthon opened its state-of-the-art laboratory for biotechnology today, an important step in the company’s development into a ‘specialty pharmaceutical’ firm. Ms. Renée Bergkamp, Director-General of Enterprise and Innovation of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, and Mr. Thom de Graaf, Mayor of Nijmegen, attended the official opening.
“With this new building, Synthon has significantly expanded its scientific infrastructure, putting us in an excellent position to fulfill our far-reaching ambitions in the field of biotechnological products,” says Rudy Mareel, CEO. “Our high-quality generic medicines and the new building allow us to continue developing as complete a portfolio as possible for our most important therapeutic areas: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Oncology.” 
Speaking in his address, Mayor De Graaf said: “The opening of the new laboratory for biotechnology is an important step for the company’s further growth, but also for the reinforcement of the knowledge industry in this city and in the Netherlands as well.”
Ms. Bergkamp stated: “Written in the foundation stone of the new laboratory is: “Science – People – Affordable medicines”. It serves as the motto for Synthon and I think it concurs very well with the objectives of the government. It contributes to public health as well as our economy.”
The new building will be home to around 130 R&D staff, and the 6,850 m2 surface area includes two floors with 1000 m2 of laboratory space. Thanks to a unique collaboration between the parties involved, the building was erected in a record time of less than a year. The work was done with a specific construction team, a fixed budget and complete financial transparency. Construction even started during the design stage and the entire process was conducted according to Lean Construction principles, resulting in enormous efficiency savings.
In honor of the opening and Synthon’s 20th birthday, a seminar was also held today for staff and a number of important business relations with lectures from Prof. Dr. Toine Pieters, Endowed Professor in the History of Pharmacy (Utrecht University), Ms. Renée Bergkamp and Ms. Jacqueline Solleveld, Project Leader at Dutch foundation Stichting MS Research. This foundation finances and stimulates scientific research into MS and the provision of information on the disease to a wide public. At the end of the seminar, Synthon’s board presented Ms. Solleveld with a check for EUR 20,000 to support the project ‘Quality of Care'. MS Research received the donation on the eve of their national campaign in the run up to World MS Day.
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