Cubist plans to add 58 jobs

Robert Weisman, Globe Staff

Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biotechnology company developing antibiotics to treat infections and viruses, today began construction of an additional 104,000 square feet of laboratory and administrative space in Lexington.

The project, which is set to be completed in early 2012, will use a $1.7 million state tax incentive.

As part of its incentive agreement with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, which is administering the state's 10-year, $1 billion life sciences initiative, Cubist has committed to adding 58 jobs this year.

Governor Deval Patrick and Susan Windham-Bannister, president of the life sciences center, attended a ceremony at Cubist today marking the start of the expansion project.