Gilead Alberta ULC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, has entered an agreement with Eco Industrial Business Park to purchase and develop 10 acres of land at 1250 Hayter Road, in North East Edmonton, Canada. The transaction is anticipated to close in January 2013.

The agreement will allow for construction of a new three-story, 45,000-square-foot R&D facility across the street from Gilead's existing facilities in Edmonton. The building will include laboratory and office space for more than 80 scientists involved in process chemistry and analytical development of new drug substances. Gilead currently employs more than 220 staff in Edmonton and recently began the hiring process for 50 new scientists.

"Gilead has had a long-standing presence in the Alberta biopharmaceutical community and we are committed to continued innovation at this site," said Norbert Bischofberger, PhD, executive vice president of R&D and CSO, Gilead Sciences. "At a time when Gilead's R&D pipeline is growing and expanding into new therapeutic areas, we believe this planned facility will enable our process and analytical chemistry teams in Alberta to make an even greater contribution in the development of new therapies for patients."

Gilead must complete a due diligence review of the property. Gilead or Eco may terminate the purchase agreement at any time during this diligence review period. Pending close of the transaction, The Graham Group will manage the development of the 10-acre site and lead construction of the new building, which will be designed by Manasc Isaac Architects. Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2013.