MPI and Shanghai Medicilon set up JV

USA-based MPI Research and China's Shanghai Medicilon have established a new joint venture to form Medicilon-MPI Preclinical Research (Shanghai). Located initially at the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park in Shanghai, the company will open a 50,000-square foot preclinical testing facility in the Chuansha Economic Park in early 2008. This new facility will meet the regulatory standards set forth by the US Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory agencies worldwide, the companies state.

With the JV, they explain, customers of both parent companies will have the advantage of conducting research at the Shanghai site for preclinical development, with potential for worldwide release. Current and future customers of Medicilon and MPI Research will now have access to a broader range of both Good Laboratory Practice and non-GLP preclinical services. By 2009, the new company will be fully operational, in terms of conducting FDA/Investigational New Drug enabling studies, offering additional preclinical support services, submitting INDs and New Drug Applications.