By SCBIZ Staff

FLORENCE — Roche Carolina Inc. announced this week it will expand its Florence pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. The $60 million investment will involve the construction of a new multipurpose production unit in an existing manufacturing building.

The expansion will help enable Roche to meet production needs for current and future life-saving medications. About 25 to 30 new jobs will be created as a result of the expansion, as well as about 200 construction-related jobs, which the company hopes to fill through local contractors. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year with completion by the end of 2008.

“The decision to invest in Florence is a reflection of our past success and the willingness of Florence and South Carolina to encourage the growth of existing industry,” said Frank Cox, president and general manager of Roche Carolina. “We are grateful to the community for its support and recognition of the underlying importance of our business to improving human health.”

Roche Carolina, a pharmaceutical process development and bulk active ingredient manufacturing company, is an affiliate of the multinational group of companies headed by Roche Holding Ltd. of Basel, Switzerland. Roche is one of the world’s leading research-focused health care groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics.

“As a major player in the worldwide pharmaceutical industry, we are excited Roche has chosen to expand their roots in our region,” said Joe W. King, executive director for the Florence County Economic Development Partnership. “Roche has been a great corporate citizen over the last 15 years; they consistently assist us in the recruiting of new industries to the area by selling the Florence community as a great place to do business.”