Syngenta Biotechnology expanding in RTP

Syngenta Biotechnology is expanding its footprint in Research Triangle Park.

The company has leased 100,000 square feet of additional space in RTP and signed a contract to purchase 50 acres of land as a possible future expansion site.

"RTP has been a great place for SBI to grow and flourish over the years," said Michiel van Lookeren Campagne, Syngenta's president and global head of biotechnology research & development. "The employment applicant pool is top-notch and the scientific community is active and thriving, making the area a prime location for potential expansion of our facilities and continued generation of industry-leading ideas."

Syngenta employs more than 400 people at its global biotech research center in RTP. The company develops genetically engineered seeds that promise to produce larger harvests and be more resistant to disease, pests and drought.

Jane Bachmann, a spokeswoman for Syngenta, said the company is leasing 100,000 square feet of space at the Keystone Building on Davis Drive. The company owns 200,000 square feet of space on Cornwallis Road in RTP.

"The intention is to move many of our employees who sit at the Cornwallis site to that leased space so we can build out the labs," Bachmann said.

The 50 acres Syngenta put under contract is near its Cornwallis Road site within RTP.

In October, Syngenta recruited van Lookeren Campagne from Bayer CropScience, a division of the German conglomerate that also employs more than 400 at its North American headquarters in RTP.

Both Syngenta and Bayer CropScience are expanding as demand increases for pesticides and other crop protection products.

Syngenta has been in RTP since 1984. Its operations include laboratories, offices and greenhouses.