British multinational GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) inaugurated a new laboratory at its Les Ulis site, just outside Paris, last week in the presence of the French Education and Research Minister, Valérie Pécresse. The event served to underline GSK's growing presence in pharmaceutical research and development in France.

 

Today, GSK's site in Les Ulis, which first opened in 1987, employs over 70 scientists and has an annual budget of €19 million, including €2 million for joint projects with external bodies such as Inserm and CEA Grenoble, among others.

 

With €53 million spent on research and development in 2009, GSK is the leading foreign laboratory in France “in terms of job numbers, industrial investment and R&D” underlined a group spokesperson.