PRA opens Beijing office to expand Chinese operations

PRA has expanded its operations in China and opened a new office in Beijing to expand its presence in the country and add to its existing Shanghai office.

The move caps an already busy year for the US-based contract research organisation (CRO), which has so far opened new offices in the UK, the Netherlands and Singapore during 2012.

Helen Neal, regional director – clinical operations, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and North Africa, said: “As the demand for clinical sites in Asia increase, we continually strive to strengthen our existing operations in China and the Asia Pacific region. 

“By adding more professional staff and locations, we can give our clients greater access to these critical markets and geography. In addition to our expansion in China, we continue to increase our presence into new and emerging South East Asian regions for access to patients and resources.”

The company said the move would particularly help it boost local project teams' ability to meet the growing demand for clinical drug development programmes.

Kent Thoelke, executive VP of scientific and medical affairs, said: “In order for global drug development to continue successfully, the need to access patients at high-quality ICH/GCP sites in emerging regions like China is critical.

“PRA's expansion in this market gives us the ability to bring exciting new clinical trials to a much broader market in China, while providing even greater patient access to our clients and sponsor companies.”

PRA has been operating in China for over 10 years. In addition to an office in Hong Kong, the CRO also has Asia Pacific bases in countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and India.