In doing so, the global contract research organisation (CRO) will create up to 300 new jobs in the region over the next two to three years.

PPD´s expansion of its operations into the 40,000 sq. ft facility will require a range of new staff from clinical research associates, clinical project managers, among other

medical and scientific personnel.

Commenting on the decision to move into the chosen location, Fred Eshelman, CEO of PPD said: "For a couple of years, I have heard many great things about the

NC Research Campus".

"After visiting the campus, I realised this project is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity

where industry and academic scientists can freely collaborate to bring innovations in scientific research to market".

Developed as a public-private collaboration by entrepreneur David Murdock, chairman and owner of Castle & Cooke and Dole Food Company, the $1.5bn NC Research Campus is claimed to combine "the research power of world-renowned universities and workforce training programs with the know-how of business", and involves partnerships with Duke University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina.

Only two months ago, PPD announced it is also moving into Russia via the purchase of InnoPharm, another CRO based in Smolensk, which also has offices in Moscow and St Petersburg and a staff of 300.

The acquisition of InnoPharm, which offers Phase II-IV clinical trials, data management and biostatistics services, will not only provide PPD with a foothold in the vast clinical territory of Russia, but also in neighbouring Ukraine, where it has an office in Kiev.

"With more than 143m people in Russia alone, Eastern Europe is a high-growth market for clinical trials and a region PPD has targeted for expansion", said Eshelman at the time of the announcement.

Eschelman aded: "We will put the accelerator down in Russia as much as we can, there are a lot of opportunities in terms of oncology and the large population… we will take a look at what other offices we are going to open there, we are dealing with 12 different time zones which makes travel difficult for CRAs".

Looking at the world in its entirety, he said that the firm is "assessing all the factors to try and come up with a cohesive plan as where we would go and expect to grow in one region more than another".

Meanwhile, one month prior to this, the ambitious company also initiated new central laboratory services in China in response to the country's budding clinical trials scene.

The CRO did so by has forming an exclusive agreement with Peking Union Lawke Biomedical Development Limited (PUL) that allowed it to "begin immediately" providing its central lab services to biopharma firms in the country.

The firm currently has other central labs in Brussels, Belgium and Kentucky in the US and said that China's attractiveness lies in the fact that it is a "high-growth clinical research market." PPD, along with several other global CROs already currently run clinical trials in China.