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Governor Chris Christie recently announced that Allergan Inc. plans to open a new research and development facility in New Jersey that will create several hundred new jobs over the next three to five years and inject an estimated $12 million of private investment into the state’s economy. The announcement is another success for New Jersey and the result of Governor Christie’s pro-growth agenda to create jobs, spur economic development, and improve the state’s climate for business investment and growth.
Allergan is a global, technology-driven multi-specialty healthcare company with approximately 10,000 employees worldwide and a presence in more than 100 countries. Governor Christie and Lt. Governor Guadagno have worked aggressively to attract businesses to New Jersey, including Allergan, and bring quality jobs to New Jersey. Governor Christie met with Allergan officials in September to discuss the company’s expansion plans and New Jersey’s strengths as a destination for their research and development facility.
“Our aggressive efforts to promote economic growth and foster job creation and investment in our state are delivering results for New Jerseyans. Allergan is a world-class, innovative company that is committing to our state and people with several hundred high quality, research and development new jobs and nearly $12 million in private investment,” said Governor Christie. “Creating good paying, private sector jobs that are sustainable over the long term is the number one priority of my Administration, and Allergan’s decision to choose New Jersey is just the latest indication that the Jersey comeback has begun.”
Established more than 60 years ago as an eye care company, Allergan currently focuses on several medical specialties, including eye care, neurosciences, medical aesthetics, medical dermatology, obesity intervention and urologics. Allergan’s portfolio includes an array of pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices, over-the-counter consumer products, and state-of-the-art resources in research and development, manufacturing and safety surveillance. The company is currently narrowing down location options for their new research and development facility. Allergan currently employs 20 people at a subsidiary in Bedminster.
“Expanding our already vibrant healthcare sector is a critical component of the Christie Administration’s economic growth agenda and today’s announcement is a strong indicator that New Jersey has become a place where pioneering businesses can open, expand, and thrive,” said Lt. Governor Guadagno. “The life sciences are a cornerstone of New Jersey’s economy, providing high quality jobs for our residents and fostering innovations that impact the lives of people throughout the world. Our Administration’s State Strategic Job Growth Plan recognizes this by prioritizing growth in this critical sector of our economy.”
On Wednesday, the Board of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority is set to vote on a Business Employment Incentive Program (BEIP) grant worth up to a maximum of $17 million over ten years to encourage Allergan, Inc. to open the new research and development facility in New Jersey over competing proposals from other states. Receipt of this BEIP grant has been a material factor in Allergan's decision to grow in New Jersey.
“We thank Governor Christie, his staff and the Economic Development Authority for their support in helping Allergan continue to grow in the state of New Jersey," said Dr. Scott Whitcup, Executive Vice President, Head of Research and Development, Chief Scientific Officer, Allergan, Inc. "Allergan has been proud to have a Research and Development office in New Jersey focused on the development of pharmaceuticals for the past four years and this expansion will enable us to further tap into the talent of New Jersey residents. As a multi-specialty health care company, a critical component to our business is the scientific innovation derived from the work of our R&D facilities throughout the United States. The expansion of our facility in New Jersey will enable us to further enhance our product pipeline and advance our pursuit of novel medical therapies for patients."
Governor Christie continues to take action on an aggressive, pro-growth agenda to create Jersey Jobs and prioritize economic growth. Through the Christie Administration’s pro-growth policies, New Jersey has once again become a home for economic growth, business investment and job creation. From Fortune 500 firms to small and medium-sized businesses, including household names like BASF, Honeywell, Bayer, Church and Dwight and Panasonic, companies have committed to generate and retain over 28,000 jobs, bringing more than $4.6 billion in total public-private investment to the Garden State, since January 2010. New Jersey has added more than 40,000 private sector jobs since Governor Christie took office.
