Biotech Biggies Grow Bigger in Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO-In a spate of biotech construction, Genentech Corp. and Bayer Corp. each have projects underway and the University of California at San Francisco is developing a new research and development campus. The expansions are not the antidote to the markets current ills, but some experts say the growth bodes well for the Bay Area’s chances of remaining a major biotech capital in the future.

Appearing healthy and active, Genentech broke ground on a 280,000-sf expansion of the Founders Research Center in South San Francisco close on the heels of completion of an 112,000 sf facility. At its 2003 completion, the Genentech expansion will be one of the largest biotech facilities in the world.

Tularik Inc is also scouting about 250,000 sf of additional research and development space in South San Francisco to augment and already existing 140,00 sf space on Corporate Drive.