King of Prussia, Pa.-based contract research organization (CRO) MDS Pharma Services launched a 300-bed phase I facility just outside Phoenix in Tempe, Arizona. The unit cost about $25 million and took more than two years to complete. According to MDS, the new unit is the largest phase I clinic on the West Coast. By building the unit specifically for phase I services, MDS stated it was able to include specialized features such as thorough QT cardiac safety trial areas and improved security for conducting controlled trials. The facility also has its own clinical lab and pharmacy.
ICON Expands in Eastern Europe
Contract research organization (CRO) ICON Clinical Research expanded its presence in Central and Eastern Europe with the addition of three offices located in Prague, Czech Republic; Kiev, Ukraine; and Bucharest, Romania. Each office will be staffed with 60 to 75 employees. In the region, the CRO already has offices in Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Hungary. According to Alan Morgan, president of ICON Clinical Research Europe, clients drive office expansion into these areas.
