Inova Health System executives have engaged in lengthy negotiations with officials from Exxon Mobil in an effort to acquire the energycompanys 117-acre campus in Merrifield as a new home for its Translational Medicine Institute. <\/p>\n
The deal could allow thethe expansion of Inovas high-profile genomics research led byDr. John Niederhuber, a nationally renowned surgeon who is chief executive of the institute and co-director of a clinical research network at Johns Hopkins University. <\/p>\n
Sources familiar with the discussions, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the talks were meant to be private,cautioned that negotiationshave not neared completion and a deal may still not be reached. <\/p>\n
An overhead image of Exxon Mobils Merrifield campus, from the companys marketing materials. (Courtesy Exxon Mobil) <\/p>\n
Two sources said Inova, Northern Virginias largest healthcare provider, made its first offer for the property months ago andhave since conducted escalatingback-and-forth discussions with Exxon over how to reach a deal for the institutes future home. <\/p>\n
Theyve been going back and forth and back and forth, said one source. The initial offer was an insult to Exxon. But now [Inova] isthe only one that theyre focused on. Theyre not talking to anybody else. <\/p>\n
Anothersource said Inova was also considering the relocation of its cancer center onto the Exxon property. <\/p>\n
Spokespersons for Exxon Mobil and Inova declined to comment. <\/p>\n
Personalized medicine based on genetic research is considered a major opportunity for expansion by Inova Health, led by presidentJ. Knox Singleton, and a field ripe for commercialization that could boost the economy in Northern Virginia. <\/p>\n
The campus is located just off the Capital Beltway at Route 50 and across the street from Inovas flagship facility, Inova Fairfax Hospital. <\/p>\n
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Inova said to be in negotiations to buy 117-acre campus for genetics institute<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Inova Health System executives have engaged in lengthy negotiations with officials from Exxon Mobil in an effort to acquire the energycompanys 117-acre campus in Merrifield as a new home for its Translational Medicine Institute. The deal could allow thethe expansion of Inovas high-profile genomics research led byDr. John Niederhuber, a nationally renowned surgeon who is chief executive of the institute and co-director of a clinical research network at Johns Hopkins University. Continue reading