CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Abbott, a global health care company today celebrated the dedication of its new Abbott Nutrition facility at the Research Park on the University of Illinois campus.
Abbott will use the facility to research and develop nutritional products for infants through adults. The company, which operates more than 100 facilities worldwide and sells products in more than 130 countries, will initially collaborate with faculty and students in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. The company is beginning with 11 student interns and full time management.
“Abbott is pleased to join the Research Park community,” says Robert H. Miller, Ph.D., divisional vice president, Nutrition Research & Development and Scientific Affairs, Abbott Nutrition. “A fundamental necessity of our business is to ensure continuous innovation and we look forward to forging a relationship with UIUC and the Division of Nutritional Sciences, as well as other University Schools and Colleges.”
Abbott has a long history of collaboration with the University of Illinois in the sciences, in engineering, in business and in nutrition. Nearly 1,000 Illinois graduates currently work for Abbott.
“We are very pleased to welcome Abbott into our Research Park,” says Illinois vice chancellor for public engagement Steve Sonka. “Abbott has been a valued partner of the University, and we look forward to expanded engagements through new on-site collaborations with Abbott.”
Avijit Ghosh, the University of Illinois VP for Technology and Economic Development said “We welcome Abbott to our vibrant technology community. The decision speaks to the growing opportunities for university and corporate partnerships within the Research Park to help drive new innovations with students, corporate employees, and faculty working together”.
The Research Park at the University of Illinois is now home to 73 companies including 8 Fortune 500 companies. The Research Park is attracting companies that are seeking to engage with the University in an open innovation model, collaborating with faculty, and employing students year-round to supplement their R&D operations. The Research Park has continued to attract new operations despite tough economic conditions. New companies in 2009 include: Abbott, Littelfuse, Pearson, Waterborne, Wolfram Alpha and several technology startup companies.
Abbott (NYSE: ABT - News) is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics.
