Allergan to move R&D away from France

US drugmaker Allergan is to close its R&D center in the French science complex at Sophia-Antipolis, which was only inaugurated in early-2002 and has become the largest European research site in the ophthalmology drugs area. The only facility that will remain on the site in the south of France is the headquarters of Allergan's French subsidiary. The transfer of activity will be completed by the end of this year.

Mir Nezam, president of Allergan France, said the judgement was related to critical mass and a decision had been taken to switch to sites which were already major R&D centers. Drug formulation and biostatistical research will be concentrated in the USA, while clinical and regulatory operations relating to the European pharmaceutical market will switch to Ireland and High Wycombe in the UK. The move will come as a blow to the French technopolis, which is going through a bleak period with a number of high-tech industrial companies announcing closures.