QPS moves forward with global expansion in response to client demand

26-Sep-2019 - Last updated on 26-Sep-2019 at 14:53 GMT

(Image: Getty/utah778)

The CRO has opened a new clinic in response to demand for early-stage research, specifically for Alzheimer’s Disease, and expanded its footprint in India to conduct studies ‘at favorable pricing with faster timelines,’ say company executives.

The contract research organization (CRO) QPS has added new clinics in the Netherlands and India as well as a bioanalytical facility in China.

QPS Netherlands recently opened a second clinic on the grounds of the Medical Center Leeuwarden (MCL). Studies will initially focus on neurodegenerative diseases, though the clinic will eventually support research in other areas as well.

Marc Thouin, president and general manager, QPS Netherlands, said the expansion is in response to “the continued growing need for secure clinical trials facilities to conduct early stage research, primarily for drugs targeted at the Alzheimer’s Disease population.”

“These small, highly specialized facilities will fill a critical need as more and more drug candidates progress to early stage clinical trials,” Thouin told us.

The clinic includes adaptable function rooms and eight bedrooms, designed specifically for the needs of elderly patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

“These specific clinical trials require the use of patients rather than healthy volunteers, and these particular patients benefit enormously from small, hotel-style sites, as the hotel character provides an environment conducive to overnight stays with their own caretakers,” added Thouin.

“The global need to find a disease modulator in this critical disease area continues to expand, with no end in sight. We hope to be a part of the global solution to this crisis,” she said, noting that the first patient study began September 15, 2019.

QPS also has opened a new early-phase clinical facility in Hyderabad, India. The facility features 138 beds across four clinical units, including a dedicated space for women.

“QPS India offers our clients the opportunity in this highly competitive generics market to conduct studies at favorable pricing with faster timelines along with the expected quality and regulatory compliance,” said Kumar Ramu, Sr. Vice President and General Manager, QPS India.

“Expanding the QPS India clinical capacity with multiple clinics gives us the opportunity to service our clients better in conducting multiple pilot and pivotal BA/BE [bioavailability/bioequivalence] studies at the same time,” he told us.

According to the company, QPS India has successfully completed more than 22 regulatory inspections from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), World Health Organization (WHO), and Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).

The CRO also announced a three-fold expansion of its translational medicine division at the company’s US headquarters in February of this year.