PPD, Inc. has expanded its early development research services by adding significant neuroscience and ethno-bridging expertise, broadening its capabilities to provide increased access to patients and special populations at PPD-owned clinical research units (CRUs).
 
The company has added a 52-bed CRU in Orlando, FL, enhancing its ability to conduct complex, procedurally intensive Phase I and Phase Ib early development clinical research in neurology. The recently acquired unit has a track record of recruiting and conducting early phase trials in multiple neurological indications, such as Alzheimer’s disease. The Orlando CRU has completed more than 50 Phase I studies in Alzheimer’s and other central nervous system/neurodegenerative therapeutic areas. The Phase I unit consists of individual bedrooms for special patient populations, such as elderly Alzheimer’s patients.
 
Additionally, PPD’s Las Vegas CRU, a hospital-adjacent, 24-bed unit specializing in endocrinology and metabolic trials, has expanded its portfolio to include the conduct of Japanese ethno-bridging studies. These studies allow biopharmaceutical companies to incorporate Asian patient data in parallel with western regions to initiate Phase III studies in Asian markets sooner. PPD’s Las Vegas CRU has an ethno-bridging-specific research wing, catering to Japanese volunteers who have been living in the U.S. for fewer than five years. The unit provides a controlled environment that offers a culturally appropriate climate, diet and entertainment. 
 
“By tapping into nearby high-concentration Japanese communities, we are able to study the way this population metabolizes medications and recommend alterations in safety, efficacy or dosages,” said Scott Dove, vice president of early development at PPD. “In addition to ethno-bridging, we have expanded our distinct capabilities in neuroscience and other niche therapeutic areas to study patient populations more reflective of the products’ end-users. Increasing client access to special patient populations opens exciting opportunities for the development of important new therapies to address unmet medical needs.”