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.

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.

An overhead image of Exxon Mobils Merrifield campus, from the companys marketing materials. (Courtesy Exxon Mobil)

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.

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.

Anothersource said Inova was also considering the relocation of its cancer center onto the Exxon property.

Spokespersons for Exxon Mobil and Inova declined to comment.

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.

The campus is located just off the Capital Beltway at Route 50 and across the street from Inovas flagship facility, Inova Fairfax Hospital.

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Inova said to be in negotiations to buy 117-acre campus for genetics institute