PPD, a global contract research organisation, is expanding its Athlone GMP (good manufacturing practices) laboratory, significantly increasing the size of its current premises and adding cell and gene therapy testing to the operation’s portfolio of services.
The expansion enhances PPD’s ability to deliver global scientific and technical expertise to meet growing customer demand in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.
By offering these services at its Athlone operation, PPD can provide clients in these locations with the same services already available in the US through its Middleton, Wisconsin, GMP lab.
Speciality testing
“Our enlarged operations will enhance our capabilities in leading technologies related to biopharmaceutical testing and speciality testing for biologics and small molecules,” said Christopher Fikry, MD, executive vice-president of PPD® Laboratories.
“This expansion will enable PPD to provide customers with additional services aimed at reducing time to market for new drug products in important areas such as cell and gene therapies.
"We are thankful our expansion has been welcomed and supported by the Irish government and IDA Ireland, and we’re confident these new developments will benefit our customers.”
The Athlone GMP lab provides fully integrated analytical services across all phases of pharmaceutical development and commercialisation, helping clients fulfil regulatory requirements for release testing and qualified person (QP) services for clinical and marketed pharmaceuticals, including small and large molecules, inhaled products, and cell and gene therapies.
The current 4,460-sq-m operation will grow to 7,710 sq m upon completion of the project, which is expected to be fully functional by mid-2022 and is projected to create 180 jobs over the next three years.
The current operation employs nearly 300 highly skilled scientists and project managers who support the demand for PPD’s services, which includes testing to support the development of novel and advanced pharmaceuticals and therapies.
'Positive development for Athlone and midlands'
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar TD said: “I’m really pleased that PPD is continuing to invest in its Athlone operations in an expansion that will create 180 jobs over three years and significantly add to the capabilities of the company’s current facility. This is a really positive development for Athlone and the midlands region.”
CEO of IDA Ireland Martin Shanahan added: “Today’s announcement by PPD demonstrates the company’s commitment to Ireland and indeed the midlands Region where it has been in operation for more than 10 years.
"It will allow the company to avail itself of the rich talent pool that exists in the midlands and will provide an economic and employment boost to the local and wider Midlands region. We wish PPD continued success.”