PPD Expands Vaccine Development Laboratory to meet growing research needs

Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD) has expanded its vaccine sciences lab in Richmond, Virginia, to enhance its ability so as to provide industry-leading capabilities to meet biopharmaceutical clients’ growing research needs.

The laboratory expansion continues PPD’s ongoing investments in its Richmond facilities, which also include significant enhancements to its genomics, immunochemistry and automation services in recent years. PPD’s lab operations in Richmond employ nearly 700 people, including Ph.D.-level scientists, analytical laboratory staff and other scientific professionals.

PPD Laboratories senior VP, Bob Nicholson said that the recent expansion of their vaccine sciences lab, coupled with previous enhancements to their biologics capabilities, builds on three decades of drug development expertise to support pharmaceutical and vaccine programs from pre-clinical through post-approval. During that time, they have helped their clients earn FDA approval for 15 vaccine programs and countless pharmaceuticals. They are confident their laboratory enhancements will enable them to build on that record of success for their customers.

With nearly 17,000 square feet of new vaccines laboratory space, PPD has added significant capacity for vaccine efficacy testing using techniques such as cell-based assays and immunochemistry.

PPD Laboratories’ vaccine sciences lab, with its unique capabilities within the CRO industry, offers an extensive portfolio of services that support vaccine development. Most notably, those include method development, qualification and validation; extensive statistical and regulatory expertise; and high-throughput, automated and/or multiplex assays. The lab has diverse experience with multiple assay formats, including molecular genomics, immunology, cell-based and functional assays.