Athenix Corp. announced it is moving its operations from Durham, N.C. to Research Triangle Park.

Athenix is a biotechnology company that develops products and technologies for agricultural and sustainable industrial applications. The company said the move comes amid continued anticipation of additional growth in years to come.

"Past growth, coupled with a very rich R&D pipeline, has Athenix very excited about its future," said Mike Koziel, president and chief executive officer for Athenix. "This company is in a very good place, and poised for impressive growth."

Markus Andres, chief operating officer for Athenix, said the company grew by approximately 20 percent in 2006 and added 12 new positions, bringing its current employee count to 50. Andres expects Athenix to add at least 10 more positions in 2007.

The Athenix office space and laboratories have been in Durham since the company's founding in 2001, with greenhouse space nearby at Duke University. At 30,000 square feet, the new facility offers nearly three times the capacity of the current location, and includes office space, laboratories and a greenhouse.

"While our new facilities will include greenhouse space," Koziel said. "We'll continue operations at Duke and build on the relationship between Athenix and the university. However, it's important to have greenhouse capabilities on site. The added space is necessary to accommodate the projected growth of Athenix."

Athenix has entered an intense commercial product development phase that includes additional field trials and the development of regulatory packages. This will allow Athenix to sell transgenic corn products that offer resistance to insects and tolerance to glyphosate.