Area Development
California-based Allergan Inc., a multi-specialty healthcare company that focus on scientific innovation and development of drugs and medicines, opened its new 93,000 square foot Research and Development Center in Bridgewater, New Jersey, which the firm estimates will create hundreds of jobs.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority provided a grant of nearly $15 million as an incentive for the firm to build on New Jersey.

David E.I. Pyott, Allergan's Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer said, "We will continue to increase our investment in R&D to fuel innovation and expect to spend over $1 billion in 2013. Our New Jersey clinical development site will allow us to benefit from the expertise of the many talented R&D professionals that reside in this state and, most importantly, bring novel medical therapies to patients across the world."

The new R&D Center, in Somerset Corporate Center, will focus on clinical development, and significantly expand the company's footprint in New Jersey. Allergan officials said they expect to eventually hire several hundred employees.

"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," said Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno. Creating good paying, private sector jobs that are sustainable over the long term is the number one priority of the Christie Administration."

"I'm proud to join in celebrating this step forward for New Jersey's thriving biotech and health care community with the expansion of Allergan's operations to this new R&D facility, and especially proud to celebrate the hundreds of new, high-skill jobs it's bringing to New Jersey," said U.S. Senator Robert Menendez. "This new facility is an investment in America's future, an investment in New Jersey's economy and an investment in our nation's intellectual infrastructure."