IntegraGen Inc, a French biotechnology company dedicated to gene discovery and the development of molecular diagnostic products and services, is expanding its operations by opening a US subsidiary headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts that will support the company’s clinical research initiatives focused on the early identification of children at risk of autism. IntegraGen will open the new office on November 1, 2010.

“We have decided to locate IntegraGen’s US subsidiary in Cambridge as a result of Massachusetts commitment to attracting and supporting the life sciences, the proximity to world renowned academic institutions, and the highly qualified talent pool in the area,” said Dr Bernard Courtieu, CEO of IntegraGen, SA. “We believe this will be an ideal location to support our strategic business efforts in the United States and further strengthen the strong ties between biotechnology companies based in France and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

IntegraGen’s corporate headquarters is located in Evry, France where it focuses on gene discovery and providing state of the art genotyping services to the research community through the company’s Genetic Services Business. The company owns intellectual property in the fields of autism and oncology and has focused efforts on understanding the role of common genetic variants as markers of an increased risk of autism. The company has recently licensed autism-related intellectual property to Transgenomic, Inc, in the US whose clinical molecular laboratory developed and offers the ARISk Familial Autism Panel, a genetic test designed to assess the risk of autism in children who have older siblings diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

"Our Life Sciences Initiative has proven successful in attracting both national and international life science companies, like IntegraGen, to consider locating and creating jobs in Massachusetts," said Governor Deval Patrick. "We enthusiastically welcome IntegraGen to Cambridge and to the diverse group of pioneering companies that have helped make the Commonwealth into a global leader in the life sciences industry. Having recently signed legislation expanding insurance coverage for autism testing and treatment, I am excited that this company’s genetic testing technology will help in the earlier identification of children at risk of autism and that they will be based here in Massachusetts."

"Massachusetts is a great place to do business for life sciences companies, both international and domestic, and we welcome IntegraGen to the world’s leading life sciences Supercluster," said Dr Susan Windham- Bannister, president & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. "We look forward to working in partnership with IntegraGen as they put down roots and grow here in Massachusetts."

"We are looking forward to opening our office in Cambridge and expanding our presence in the US," said Larry Yost, IntegraGen’s vice-president of US Operations. "We appreciate the assistance the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center provided during our decision making process." IntegraGen, Inc. will open their new office on November 1, 2010. "We are pleased to welcome yet another international company to Massachusetts. IntegraGen’s decision to expand here exemplifies the vibrancy and global diversity of our life sciences cluster—a cluster that is made stronger with each new company that chooses to locate here," said Ted Carr, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of International Trade & Investment.

IntegraGen is a biotechnology company dedicated to gene discovery with the goal of developing molecular diagnostic products and services that provide clinicians with new tools to personalize diagnosis, treatment, and therapy.

The Massachusetts Office of International Trade & Investment (MOITI) works to expand the Massachusetts economy by marketing the state's business internationally, through focused export promotion, attracting foreign companies to invest in Massachusetts and handling protocol as it relates to trade and investment.