PPD, US-based leading global contract research organization (CRO), has announced that it has consolidated its clinical development operations in Beijing, China; in a new, larger office, to support its growing client base in the country and throughout Asia Pacific (APAC). The new location enhances PPD’s ability to deliver a full range of clinical research and development services in China, as one of the country’s largest CROs.

Last year, PPD expanded its phase II-IV clinical development, data management, biostatistics, quality assurance and global regulatory services in Asia Pacific, and added more than 300 employees through its acquisition of Excel PharmaStudies. The new office unites PPD and Excel employees based in Beijing in one facility.

“The opening of our new office further demonstrates our commitment to investing in China, which continues to be an increasingly important, high-growth area for clinical research,” said Simon Britton, vice president, Clinical Development in Asia Pacific. “The new facility provides us a solid foundation for continued growth in this country and across APAC to meet the growing needs of our clients.”

PPD opened its first Beijing office in 2003. It now has clinical development offices in Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shanghai, a vaccine research center in Taizhou; global central laboratory services in Beijing and BioDuro, a leading integrated drug discovery outsourcing company that PPD acquired in 2009. The company employs more than 1,400 people throughout APAC, with offices in Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, New Zealand and Australia.