Until now the Centre Christophe Merieux in Grenoble has focused on research in molecular biology, but it will soon be manufacturing in vitro diagnostics systems too. This follows the construction of a 2,500 square metre building, boosting the facility’s total floor space to 8,000 square metres. The new extension, which will be online in 2010, coincides with the modernization of existing premises. The company is investing a total of €18m in the undertaking, which consolidates Grenoble’s position as bioMerieux’s global molecular biology power base. At the end of 2008 the facility had a workforce of almost 135 people. The new departure involves the creation of about 100 new jobs in the course of 2009, evenly spread between R&D and production. The manufacturing department will be dedicated to the development and fabrication of bioMerieux molecular biology systems which include tests for HIV, and the A and B influenza viruses (this test is currently being adapted to include the H1N1strain).