The PPD clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., is expanding its central laboratory operations in Kentucky dedicated to accelerating pharmaceutical and biotech customers’ delivery of safe, effective medicines to patients.

The business will expand its sample management and biorepository operations in a new 65,000-square-foot space in Covington, enabling further capability expansion at its existing site in nearby Highland Heights. Thermo Fisher’s $47.8 million investment is expected to create more than 250 new jobs across the two sites over the next eight years, with renovation and construction anticipated to begin later this year.

The PPD clinical research business has operated a central lab operation in Highland Heights since 2002, and today it includes central lab services, biomarker operations, sample management and testing to support new therapeutics, including vaccines and cell and gene therapy products. The renovation of an existing building on West 38th Street in Covington will significantly expand the business’ labs footprint.

“Our central lab plays a vital role in helping our customers make timely, efficient and informed decisions about their clinical trials and ensure patient safety,” said Leon Wyszkowski, president, analytical services, clinical research, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Our expansion will enhance their ability to advance life-changing research. We are excited to expand into Covington and grow our operations in Highland Heights as a vital part of our global labs capabilities serving our customers.”

The Highland Heights central lab offers safety testing including automated chemistry, urinalysis and hematology, anatomic pathology, flow cytometry, microbiology and molecular assays. It also offers a wide variety of other services, such as clinical sample management, processing and storage, kit design and preparation for collection of clinical samples, and sample testing services. The biomarker lab provides support for regulated biomarkers with immunoassays, flow cytometry and molecular assays.

In addition to the Highland Heights facility, Thermo Fisher’s clinical research business has biomarker and central labs in Brussels, Belgium, and Singapore; bioanalytical, biomarker and vaccine sciences labs in Richmond, Virginia; bioanalytical and good manufacturing practices (GMP) labs in Middleton, Wisconsin; a GMP lab in Athlone, Ireland; and bioanalytical, biomarker, vaccine sciences and central labs in Suzhou, China.