PARIS ¿ Genfit SA, a drug discovery company based in the northern French city of Lille, inaugurated a purpose-built research facility last week at the Eurasanti biomedical science and business park on the outskirts of the town. The new building houses the whole of its 50-strong work force, which had previously been operating out of different leased premises in Lille since the company¿s creation in September 1999.

Genfit differs from other young biotech companies insofar as it made a profit in its first full year of operation. Its net earnings amounted to EUR300,000 in 2000, when its revenues were EUR2.4 million (US$2.02 million), and the company is forecasting a near-200 percent jump in turnover to EUR7 million this year, with profits rising more modestly to EUR350,000.

Its new headquarters, which includes 5,500 square meters of laboratory space, cost the company some EUR12 million. ¿ James Etheridge