Aeterna Zentaris Inc., a specialty biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments in oncology and endocrinology, has selected North Charleston for the company’s newest North American business and global commercial operations. The $1 million investment is expected to create 60 new jobs.
The company, which is based in Quebec, Canada, plans to begin operations in the SCRA Applied Research Center on International Blvd. in North Charleston. In locating toNorth Charleston, Aeterna Zentaris plans to establish strategic partnerships with MUSC and other clinical and research facilities in the area as part of the company’s ongoing research and development activities.
Over the next five years, Aeterna expects to expand its staff to support the areas of commercial operations, business development, regulatory and quality assurance, manufacturing management, clinical and product development, as well as various administrative functions.
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits for the project.
“Charleston is one of the most thriving and exciting business communities in the United States and we are looking forward to becoming a part of it. We want to thank the leadership within the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), the South Carolina Department of Commerce, the Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA) and the team at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), all of whom contributed to this significant decision for our corporation. Finally, we wish to thank Governor Nikki Haley, who personally conveyed the state’s commitment to assisting companies such as Aeterna Zentaris in successfully developing the bio-industry throughout South Carolina.”David Dodd, president and CEO of Aeterna Zentaris
“Our congratulations go out to Aeterna Zentaris on its new North American operations in Charleston County. Aeterna Zentaris is giving our Charleston life sciences community a vote of confidence, and we look forward to the company growing with the help of MUSC, our other innovation resource agencies and the burgeoning research talent base growing in our area. We look forward to partnering with Aeterna Zentaris as that Company continues to develop its business well into the future.” -Chairman of Charleston County Council Teddie Pryor
“Aeterna Zentaris will be joining our robust and growing biomedical sector in the City of North Charleston. As companies before Aeterna Zentaris have discovered, our region’s highly trained workforce and business-friendly outlook make for a winning formula. I personally welcome Aeterna Zentaris and look forward to the company’s success in our great city.” -Mayor of North Charleston Keith Summey
“We are pleased to welcome Aeterna Zentaris to the region. MUSC, SCRA, the Horizon Redevelopment Project, our world-class lifestyle attributes and our region’s concentration of health care professionals and research scientists were critical factors in Aeterna Zentaris’ decision to locate here. This company will be a tremendous asset to our growing biomedical community.” -Bob Whitten, Charleston Regional Development Alliance Board chairman
“We look for Aeterna Zentaris to be a truly great South Carolina company, as one of many examples of how life science companies can be successful in a state where life and science meet.” -Wayne Roper, president of SCBIO