Officials broke ground today on a $23 million pharmaceutical facility at UNLV’s Harry Reid Research and Technology Park.
The planned two-story, 110,000-square-foot facility represents a bright spot in the technology park’s history: It will be the first building constructed there.
Because of the Great Recession and ensuing credit crunch, officials had significant trouble luring developers to the space after initially hoping the park, at South Durango Drive and West Sunset Road, would bring new opportunities for solar energy and water research to the university.
The company that will occupy the space is Catmaran, an Illinois-based pharmacy benefits manager focused on processing prescription-drug claims. It will enter the property with its specialty pharmacy, Briova RX.
Project officials say the facility will bring 200 construction jobs and 350 permanent jobs to the Las Vegas Valley. Those permanent jobs will run the gamut, including positions as pharmacy technicians, administrators and shipping specialists.