Scripps Institute to open new research facility in South Florida

Scripps Research Institute, one of the world’s largest biomedical research institutes, announced recently its "plans to establish a major science center in Palm Beach County, Florida, focusing on biomedical research, technology development, and drug design."

According to San Diego Union Tribune, "Scripps will move into temporary laboratory space in Palm Beach County while it builds a permanent science center on 100 acres just outside West Palm Beach. The 364,000-square-foot facility is expected to be completed by 2006 and will be designed to house 300 to 500 researchers, graduate students and support staff."

The new research facility will increase Florida’s gross domestic product by $3.2 billion and will create about 6,500 jobs (and 50,000 jobs in related businesses) in the next 15 years.

Scripps Institute is expected to replicate in Florida the success it had in La Jolla, California, where it has attracteded major drug companies, like Merck, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Novartis.

The Miami Herald reports that Norman Altman, vice provost for research at the University of Miami, believe the arrival of Scripps will only help UM's research programs (UM has about $170 million annually in biomedical research contracts). ''It's going to have a very positive effect,'' says Altman, "not only in collaboration between the institutions, but in attracting scientists to South Florida."

Also, Scripps Florida will provide joint degree programs for all universities in the state and will place a special emphasis on identifying and recruiting students who are historically underrepresented in the sciences.

Resources:
# Scripps Institute Facts-at-a-Glance
# Institute's major scientific achievements
# Scripps Florida News Coverage