Covance officials said they expect to add 25 new positions in Harrogate in the new lab's first year of operation, and over 100 positions within the first five years of operation.

Thanks to a £575,000 (approximately $975,000 USD) grant from the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Business Growth Programme, made possible through the Government's Regional Growth Fund, Covance also will be undertaking new research in the area of contaminants testing at the Harrogate site.

Roger Marsh, chairman of the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership commented: “Covance is not only a global leader in its field but also a major employer in the Leeds City Region and this investment aims to boost the number of jobs and skills the company can offer local people. The expertise and intelligence behind this new research into nutritional health and food testing puts the Leeds City Region on the map and enhances our reputation as a great place to do business.”

In welcoming the project, David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, said, “Having launched the UK’s Strategy for Agricultural Technologies this summer, I am pleased that this project aligns with our efforts to accelerate translation of research. The joint funding into Covance’s new research centre demonstrates the importance and commitment that Covance and the UK Government have in nutritional health and innovative research.”