Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc (BIPI) is planning to expand its facilities on its existing 294-acre campus in Ridgefield and Danbury Connecticut with a building project budgeted at $400 - $500 million dollars. The project is expected to create 500-700 new jobs over the next six years.

Expansion can consist of new laboratories to support research and development in the immunological, inflammatory and cardiovascular areas as well as support functions for our medical and administrative organizations. The company is moving the cardiovascular research that has been done in Biberach, Germany, to the U.S. creating a worldwide center of excellence.

"This expansion will mark a further decisive step in the future of Boehringer Ingelheim in the United States and in the implementation of our intent to grow our research and development activities in America, in line with our company's vision of continuous growth in the U.S.," said Dr. Alessandro Banchi, Board of Managing Directors, Boehringer Ingelheim.

"Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals has a bright future ahead, with several promising new products on the horizon. As a company, we are positioned to be true leaders in the extremely competitive pharmaceutical arena. The planned expansion of our U.S. headquarters campus is visible proof that we are extremely optimistic about reaching and exceeding our near- and long-term goals," said J. Martin Carroll, President and COO at BIPI.

"Boehringer Ingelheim's investment in Connecticut, both in terms of new jobs and capital expenditures, will have an enormous impact on the local and state economies and further strengthen our thriving bioscience cluster," said Governor John G. Rowland. "Today, thanks to a partnership between the company, the state and our municipal partners, we will all reap the benefits of this important project. I offer my sincere congratulations to the company for this impressive growth and success."