GATC Biotech AG is investing more than 5 million euros in its Constance site

The mayor Claus Boldt, together with architect Hans-Peter Engelmann and CEO Peter Pohl, officially turned the first sod, thus marking the beginning of the expansion the Constance site of GATC Biotech, Europe's leading sequencing service provider. The company will invest more than 5 million euros in its Constance headquarters until 2012 to create offices and laboratories for an additional 100 employees.

An extra 960 square meters will more than double the existing laboratory and office space. The three-storey annex will be directly attached to the original building. A glass atrium will connect the old and the new buildings. The architect's office Giel & Engelmann in Constance is responsible for planning and construction supervision.

"Because of our company's strong growth over the last few years, we are in dire need of a new building. We are literally bursting at the seams as we have more than doubled the number of our employees since 2006. Furthermore, we urgently need further laboratory space in order to expand our sequencing capacity to 30 terabases until 2013. This increase in capacity is required to enable us to advance our international expansion plans. We are very proud that we are able to create and secure jobs even in economically difficult times and to strengthen and further expand the dynamic life science hub at Lake Constance," says Peter Pohl.

The inauguration of the annex in spring 2010 will coincide with GATC's 20th anniversary.

Source: GATC Biotech AG