MORRISTOWN - The federal government has been cutting, or threatening to cut, funding and grants for various health needs and research.

But not everyone is turning away from science.

"New Jersey and Sanofi are doubling down."
That's what Gov. Phil Murphy said Thursday evening when Sanofi, a multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company, formally opened its new U.S. headquarters in this historic town. The company moved its office from Bridgewater.

As is the norm for such things, the governor was joined for the ceremonial ribbon cutting by local officials from both sides of the aisle, including Mayor Tim Dougherty, a Democrat,.and the following Republicans - state Sen. Anthony M. Bucco, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn and county commissioners Tayfun Selen and Steve Shaw.

Sanofi and its estimated 2,000 employees will occupy a new, 260,000 square-foot building near the town train station and a short walk from the Morristown Green. Years ago, this was a rather nondescript strip mall. Immediately next door is a similar-sized building occupied by Deloitte. In all, quite the upgrade for the area.

Paul Hudson, the company CEO, sounded very much like a New Jersey booster. He said the company loves New Jersey and never considered moving elsewhere.

Hudson, Murphy and others addressed about a hundred people in the company's second floor Crystal Lake Room. A reception featuring cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.followed.

The CEO talked about one of the building's main features - a large outdoor terrace. Unfortunately, the unseasonable chilly weather made visiting it unfeasible.

Murphy joked about the weather as well. He said he didn't want to keep people too long, because, "It's going to start snowing soon."

More seriously, the governor praised Sanofi as a global leader in its field. And he said, the company benefits from some of New Jersey's best attributes:

"That golden combination of talent, location and innovation."