The state has provided a $4.5-million grant for the project from its Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. Completion is scheduled for mid-2007, and it is expected to accommodate an estimated 200 additional senior scientist and support staff jobs.

The addition includes space for laboratories, offices, conference rooms and animal holding rooms. It will also provide increased support facilities for the Pittsburgh Development Center, which is the research arm of the Center for Excellence in Ovarian Cancer. The addition is designed to separate laboratory and administrative office areas to improve efficiency and increase bench area workspace.

Magee-Womens, which opened in 1992, is one of the first research centers to focus solely on women's and infants' health research. Providing RACP funding, Gov. Ed Rendell says in a statement, "will solidify Pennsylvania's leadership position in the field of biosciences by increasing the level of research in the state and our research capacity." At the same time, he announced that his proposed 2006-2007 budget includes a $500-million Jonas Salk Legacy Fund to "accelerate medical research discoveries in Pennsylvania."