The current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) lab will conduct testing for clinical programs spanning all phases of drug development. The cGMP lab will be licensed by the Irish Medicines Board. It will offer clients analytical testing services in method development and validation, stability and quality control testing for all phases of drug development, with particular emphasis on inhalation and biopharmaceutical products.
PPD expects to create approximately 250 jobs at the facility, including PhD-level scientists, analytical laboratory staff and other clinical development professionals. It plans to invest up to $18 million to develop the facility, which is expected to begin operations by the second half of 2009.
Fred Eshelman, CEO of PPD, said: “Ireland offers a business-friendly climate and highly skilled workforce, and we believe it is the right location to expand our lab operations. The proximity to the Athlone Institute of Technology and the support of the Irish government, in particular, IDA Ireland, were key factors in our decision as we plan our future growth for this strategic part of our business.”