QPS opens expanded Phase I unit in the Netherlands

QPS expands Ph I business in the Netherlands

CRO QPS has added another 24 beds to its Phase I site in the Netherlands, citing increasing demand for complex, early-phase research.

The expanded unit at the University Medical Center in Groningen – which now houses 58 beds – will cater for a wide range of Phase I studies according to QPS, including ascending dose, PH/PD modelling, 14C trials and BA/BE analysis.

Divisional director Wim Tamminga said the investment was prompted by drug industry demand, explaining that: “For tight schedules, the Netherlands CTA approvaltimelines of 14 days are very attractive.

“Furthermore, our clinics are staffed with very experienced medical professionals who are accustomed to managing higher risk compounds and more complex clinical protocols for investigational medicinal products.”

QPS bought the Groningen unit in 2010 when it acquired contract research organisation (CRO) Xendo Drug Development (XDD) in a move that was also promoted by the countries rapid start-up times.

At the time the firm said time savings are possible because of the Netherlands’ favourable regulatory environment and streamlined protocol approval process adding that costs for managing trials are also lower in the Netherlands.

The opening of the expanded Netherlands unit follows just a few months after QPS further built its presence in Europe through the acquisitions of Austria’s largest home grown, early phase focused CRO, JSW Life Sciences.

At the time QPS CEO Ben Chien said: “Clients all over the world will now have access to an even wider range of the exceptional services they have come to expect from QPS, along with an expanding global footprint.”

Further evidence of QPS’ expansion efforts came just last month with the firms QPS Qualitx unit set up an office in Beijing, China.