Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., an E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. subsidiary, announced today its plans to sign a five-year lease in Ankeny to increase capacity and accommodate projected growth.

The laboratory and office space will allow Pioneer’s regulatory group to accommodate the biotech traits provided through DuPont technologies. More than 80 regulatory employees will relocate from the Johnston campus to the new facility. The move is part of the commitment from DuPont to invest in high-value growth areas and to support the future business needs of Pioneer.

“Our biotech product pipeline is now full of traits that will help increase farmers’ productivity in order to meet demand for food, feed, fuel and materials,” said John Duesing, Pioneer senior research director for the regulatory group. “The new space will provide the infrastructure for growth to enable timely regulatory submissions and approvals for those traits so we can get them to our customers faster.”

Pioneer is the world’s leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Johnston, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.