Industry News

The University of Nuevo Leon (UANL) has designated 4,000 sf in Monterrey as Mexico’s first DNA diagnostics lab. Providing the university with a place to conduct clinical drug trials, the facility will focus on the commercialization of biotechnology research.

Cielo Wind Power of Austin is developing the Brazos Wind Ranch, a 160-megawatt wind farm located 70 miles southeast of Lubbock. The project, a partnership between Cielo and Oakland, Calif.-based Orion Energy, will consist of 160 towers in the Borden and Scurry counties in Northwest Texas. Construction began in July 2003 and will progress on an aggressive six-month schedule so the wind farm can be operational by year-end. Contractor for the project is MA Mortenson Co. of Minneapolis.

Japanese pharmaceutical company Kowa Co. has relocated its U.S. operations from San Jose, Calif., to 6,500 sf in Durham, N.C. Dubbed the Kowa Research Institute, the facility will accommodate drug technology research. Kowa is the first tenant in the 430 Davis Drive facility, a 152,000-sf Class A office building constructed by Keystone Corp.

Louisburg College is initiating a $12-million renovation of its North Carolina residence halls. Nashville, Tenn.-based Athena Housing Partners will begin renovation of the first facility in August, 2003. Athena will fund the construction in exchange for the right to lease and operate the facilities, which were originally built in the 1950s and 1960s. Completion of the project, which will include the construction of one new residence hall and renovation of the three existing dorms, is slated for fall 2005.

Cleveland-based Quark Biotech will consolidate three offices in Pleasanton with a move to 20,000 sf in Fremont, Calif. The site is currently being renovated to house scientists engaged in drug development, including some drug discovery group employees developing microarrays that screen for possible drug targets. Occupancy is slated for August 2003.