PPD opens office in Turkey

WILMINGTON, N.C. — Pharmaceutical Product Development (Nasdaq: PPDI) is expanding its clinical trial services reach with a new office in Istanbul, Turkey.

PPD, one of the world’s largest contract research organizations, is launching service in Turkey as part of an expansion across Eastern Europe. The company is in the process of acquiring InnoPharm, a CRO based in Russia.

PPD will offer services to support Phase II-IV clinical trials from the Istanbul operation.

“With a population of 74 million people, Turkey is becoming an attractive place to conduct clinical trials,” said Fred Eshelman, chief executive officer of PPD, in a statement. “Eastern Europe offers recruitment opportunities and quality investigators, and our Istanbul office is an important part of our strategic growth in this region. We plan to continue to expand in areas where there is high demand for our global experience and therapeutic expertise.”

PPD has offices in 31 countries and maintains an operation in Research Triangle Park, N.C.