To address the growing global demand for clinical services, Thermo Fisher Scientific has opened a new state-of-the-art GMP standard facility in South Korea. Strategically located in Seoul, the new site will provide local, regional and global pharmaceutical and biotech companies with a one-stop service for clinical supplies—from cGMP storage, local labelling, secondary packaging, comparator sourcing, handling and distribution of ambient and cold chain supplies to clinical site returns management.

A supportive government, modern infrastructure and an easily accessible patient population are helping this Asian nation become a top location for clinical trial research, according to the company. Over the past few years, clinical trials have consistently grown in Korea, and with an increased number of core clinical trial sites certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), formerly known as the KFDA, Korea boasts the second highest number of approved clinical trial sites globally, making it a leading emerging nation for clinical trial research in Asia. In addition, Korean R&D pharmaceutical companies have demonstrated a strong passion for innovative drug development resulting in a robust industry contributing to therapeutic healthcare developments at local and global levels.

“Asia Pacific continues to be our fastest-growing market and a central contributor to our growth,” said Leon Wyszkowski, vice president of clinical services for North America and facility network, Thermo Fisher. “In September 2015 we opened a new facility in Singapore to serve as a central hub for our Asia Pacific region, which compliments our clinical services facilities in Beijing and Suzhou, China; Tokyo, Japan and Ahmedabad, India. The opening of this new facility in South Korea is testament to our commitment to continue investing in the region as we build on the expertise of our local teams to strengthen our regional and global presence in the clinical supplies industry.”