A genetic testing company plans to move into a new facility in Tucker, creating more than 50 jobs.
EGL Genetic Diagnostics, a joint venture of Eurofins Scientific and Emory University, intends to locate in a 61,000-square-foot building, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development. EGL provides genetic testing services for hospitals, clinicians and pharmaceutical companies.
The company already employs about 100 people in DeKalb County, and it projects potentially expanding to as many as 500 employees in the next three to five years.
The Decide DeKalb Development Authority is considering tax incentives to support EGL Genetic Diagnostics' growth. The value of the incentives is being studied before the authority votes next month.
“We are enthusiastic about the growing pipeline of high wage jobs emerging in DeKalb,” said Decide DeKalb President Ray Gilley. “More than 40 percent of DeKalb residents hold bachelor’s degrees or higher, so EGL will benefit greatly from the broad and diverse array of knowledge workers who live in and work in DeKalb.”
Eurofins Scientific acquired Emory Genetics Laboratory this year, and the combined company will retain existing employees.
“This is the only genetic testing laboratory in the state. We want to grow that,” said Martin Kunz, CEO of Eurofins Genomics Americas, during a Nov. 12 Decide DeKalb meeting.
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