BEIJING, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Genzyme Corp., the world's third biggest biotechnology firm by revenue, has started the construction of a 100 million U.S. dollar research and development(R&D) center in Beijing, China Daily reported Friday.

    The move was aimed at cashing in on the growing needs for healthcare and tapping into the talent pool in China. The U.S. biotechnology company is also looking at local acquisition opportunities and planning to introduce more products to drive its growth in the world's most populous country, the newspaper said, citing senior company officials.

    The 200,000 square feet (about 18,580 square meters) complex, scheduled to be completed in 2011, will carry out research in biology, pharmacology, chemistry and the discovery and development of novel biologics and other gene therapies.

    Genzyme, which has a presence in areas such as oncology, kidney disease, osteoarthritis and metabolic diseases, will also use the Beijing R&D facility to develop drugs and therapies specifically for disease treatment for patients in China and Asia Pacific that are unique to the region, according to Richard Gregory, senior vice-president of Genzyme and its research head.

    The U.S. company hopes to introduce about 20 products covering five categories in the next 10 years in China, up from three drugs it currently sells in the country, according to Michael J. Glynn, senior vice president and general manager of Genzyme's Japan-Asia Pacific operations.

    The Beijing center, which will house 350 researchers, will be built according to US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, the highest standard for energy-efficiency.

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