Array BioPharma makes plans to consolidate

BOULDER, Colo.—Array BioPharma recently announced an agreement to amend its Longmont, Colo., facilities leases, extending the term for Array's current 75,000 square foot laboratory facility to May 31, 2013. Array also has the option to expand its leased space by up to 80,000 square feet and has the right to purchase the buildings it occupies.

What this means, ultimately, is less that the small drug discovery company will be substantially increasing its capacity—though that is a possibility —and more that it may move a good share of its Boulder, Colo., employees to Longmont, about 10 miles away.

"This agreement allows us to expand our facilities in Longmont and consolidate all research and laboratory-based development in one location," says Michael Carruthers, chief financial officer for Array. "We believe this consolidation will improve research productivity and communications, and will reduce operating costs."

However, consolidation of the research and lab facilities and staff would not happen for roughly three years, according to Tricia Haugeto, a marketing and communications specialist at Array.

"This move, when it does happen, means that our scientists and other research and lab staff will all be under one roof, seeing each other day in and day out instead of being in two separate facilities, and a lot can happen with those kinds of increased communications," she says.

When the consolidation does occur, it is expected that 75 people will leave the Boulder office to report to Longmont. The company employs about 250 people, which right now are more or less evenly split between the locations.