Certification supports BioDuro's global ambitions
Drugs (NCSED) in Beijing have received full accreditation from the
Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal
Care International (AAALAC).
BioDuro is a life science outsourcing company which has been collaborating with the NCSED to provide preclinical toxicology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics for clients around the world. Over 750 organisations in 29 countries have received AAALAC accreditation but as of August 2007 only seven toxicology laboratories in China had been certified. The situation in China's outsourcing competitors is not any better, with only one organisation in India having gained accreditation. This dearth of accredited facilities puts BioDuro and the NCSED in a position of strength, with the combination of low costs and high standards proving attractive to pharmaceutical companies. AAALAC accreditation should guarantee high standards, accountability and a commitment to animal welfare. It is recognised in 30 countries as a benchmark for responsible, ethical laboratory animal care. To maintain accredited status the institution must be re-evaluated every three years. BioDuro claim to have been operating at this standard for over a year but is insistent it will not rest on its laurels. Dean Rodwell, BioDuro's vice president of toxicology stated: "BioDuro is now working closely with the Center to attain US FDA GLP certification and expects to be operating at this level by the third quarter of 2008." Further confirmation of high standards at BioDuro's facilities may help swell the companies' client list, which it claims includes nine of the top 12 global pharmaceutical companies. In total BioDuro lists 40 pharmaceutical and biotech companies as clients. BioDuro appears to have positioned itself well to take advantage of the burgeoning contract research market, with Frost & Sullivan predicting Asian CROs will be doing $2bn worth of business a year before 2010. China looks poised to receive a decent proportion of this and BioDuro will be seeking to maximise its market share. Business at BioDuro currently appears to be going well with another AAALAC application filed for its rodent vivarium in the Zhong Guan Cun Life Sciences Park. In addition expansion commenced on 13 March at another section of this facility, which will house the growing chemistry and bioanalytical services teams.
