Penn Pharmaceutical Services U.S. Inc, asubsidiary of UK-based Penn Pharmaceutical Services Ltd., has expanded its clinical trial supplies distribution capabilities with the opening of a 75,000-sq.-ft., temperature-controlled storage and distribution facility in South Wales, UK.
 
The new facility has 2,400 pallet locations, making it one of the EU's largest facilities with regulatory approval for the storage and distribution of investigational medicinal products (IMPs), according to the company. Paul Wituschek, U.S.-based director of business development, remarked, "The opening of our new storage and distribution facility in the UK means that we have increased our offering to non-EU pharma companies who are looking to break into the EU marketplace."

Mr. Wituschek added that Penn's storage and distribution services act as a 'portal' into Europe and beyond for U.S. companies, enabling them to import and distribute pharma products, including IMPs, for use in clinical trials programs.
 
Penn has global reach through an international sales force and strategic alliances for its services offered from its single site operation in South Wales. It is a Welsh company that provides a range of fully integrated and cost effective pharmaceutical development, clinical trial supply and custom manufacturing services to the international health care industry.

Dr. Patrice Hugo has been named vice president of scientific affairs for the global central lab network of MDS Pharma Services. In this role, he will lead the development of innovative biomarkers and esoteric assays to enhance clinical development productivity from Phases I through IV.

"We're delighted to offer our clients access to Dr. Hugo's experience and expertise in the development and application of biomarkers," said MDS Pharma Services' president David Spaight. "The importance of biomarkers has grown as the industry shifts toward personalized medicine and seeks to expedite drug discovery and development while controlling costs. Dr. Hugo's appointment reflects our intention to remain a key player in this important arena."

Dr. Hugo has more than 15 years of relevant experience in discovery, preclinical, clinical development, diagnostics and biotechnology, with a focus on biomarker evaluation and development. His biomarker experience crosses various therapeutic areas including oncology, infectious disease, inflammation, metabolic disease, and women's health. He comes to MDS Pharma Services from Caprion Proteomics, where he was executive vice president, R&D. From 1997 to 2003, he was with PROCREA BioSciences, first as the vice president of scientific research and then as chief scientific officer.

Stiefel Laboratories will acquire Barrier Therapeutics for approximately $148 million. The parties expect the transaction to close by the end of the third quarter of 2008.

"This acquisition demonstrates our continued commitment to advancing the field of therapeutic dermatology," said Charles W. Stiefel, chairman and chief executive officer of Stiefel Laboratories. "We are very impressed with Barrier Therapeutics' innovative products and pipeline. This strategic move will further expand our oral and topical product portfolio in development and increase our sales of novel treatments for skin conditions."

"We are very proud of the accomplishments of the entire Barrier Therapeutics team since we were founded in 2002, and we are pleased that Stiefel Laboratories recognizes the value that we have created," said Al Altomari, chief executive officer of Barrier Therapeutics. "We believe this transaction provides substantial value to our stockholders. We believe Barrier Therapeutics' product portfolio and innovative R&D pipeline candidates are among the greatest assets in dermatology and will strengthen Stiefel Laboratories' position in the global dermatology market."

Barrier's board has approved the merger agreement and will recommend that company stockholders tender their shares in connection with Stiefel's tender offer.

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