Calbiochem Corp., the Torrey Pines biochemical company...

Calbiochem Corp., the Torrey Pines biochemical company acquired last year by Biodor AG of Switzerland from Hoechst-Celanese, is moving its manufacturing operations to Columbus, Ohio, but no layoffs are planned. The company’s San Diego operations will refocus on research and marketing.

President Philip Ottiger also said the newly formed Biodor U. S. Holding Corp., which is also based in La Jolla, is actively looking for companies to buy, particularly in the immunochemical field. Biodor’s U. S. operations, including Calbiochem, are generating about $35 million in annual sales. Ottiger declined to disclose the parent’s worldwide revenue.

Calbiochem’s large-scale chemical manufacturing operations now employ about 14, of whom three will be moving to Ohio over the next six months, Ottiger said. The rest will probably transfer to research operations at the Torrey Pines facility.

Calbiochem, which employes about 100, makes a variety of specialty biochemicals, including raw material for diagnostic tests, including pregnancy.