PPD to expand clinical lab service into Singapore

USA-based PPD Inc says it plans to expand its global central laboratory services into Singapore in response to growing client demand in Southeast Asia. The lab is expected to begin operations in mid-2009 and will provide biopharmaceutical clients with a comprehensive range of highly customized services.

The new lab strengthens PPD's presence in Singapore, where, for a number of years, the company has provided a range of clinical development services including clinical trial management and monitoring, patient recruitment, site identification and regulatory affairs.

"Southeast Asia is an attractive region for conducting clinical trials, and Singapore is an important biopharmaceutical hub," said Agostino Fede, senior vice president of PPD and head of its global central labs. "Establishing a direct lab presence in Singapore will enhance our abilities to reduce turnaround time and deliver high quality specimens and laboratory results at better logistics costs for our clients," he added.