MPI Research and Shanghai Medicilon have formed a joint venture in preclinical services. Medicilon-MPI Preclinical Research (Shanghai) LLC will be located initially at the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park in Shanghai, China. The group will open a 50,000-sq.-ft. preclinical testing facility in the Chuansha Economic Park in early 2008. This new facility will meet the regulatory standards set forth by the US FDA and other regulatory agencies worldwide, according to a joint statement.

The JV is intended to provide current and future customers access to a broad range of both GLP and non-GLP preclinical services. By 2009, the new company will be fully operational, in terms of conducting FDA/IND enabling studies, offering additional preclinical support services, submitting INDs and NDAs, and will have AAALAC accreditation.

“With one fourth of the world’s population, China is an important force in shaping the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology markets,” said William U. Parfet, chairman and chief executive officer of MPI Research. “We have carefully looked for more than three years to find a CRO partner that shares our values and commitment to excellence, and we have finally found one in Shanghai Medicilon. We look forward to forging a future together as a worldwide leader of preclinical research services.”

Dr. Chun-Lin Chen, co-founder of Medicilon, Inc. and Shanghai Medicilon, will serve as the chief executive officer of Medicilon-MPI Preclinical Research. Dr. Chen received his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University and completed post-doctoral training in the U.S.

A multidisciplinary team of experts originating from MPI Research headquarters will relocate to Shanghai and form a GLP Advisory Board to oversee FDA GLP compliance. This team will have a broad range of experience in small and large animal toxicology, safety pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, animal care, quality assurance, report writing, pathology, and study direction. In partnership with the MPI Research team, more than 70 Shanghai Medicilon professionals will be joining the newly formed organization.