CRO

INC expands clinical ops in South Korea

INC Research is boosting its presence in South Korea with a new clinical development facility, citing the country's recent progress in supporting the biopharmaceutical industry.

The CRO's new shop, located in Seoul's business district, will focus on study startup and clinical operations activities around key therapeutic areas. INC has struck up relationships with local biopharma opinion leaders, the company said, and it will work with organizations accredited by the Korean Food and Drug Administration. 

INC's decision was motivated by South Korea's recent efforts to establish state-of-the-art facilities for clinical trials, and by the government's progress in creating a transparent regulatory environment, Kelvin Logan, INC's Asia/Pacific chief, said in a statement.

"The South Korean government has renewed its focus on healthcare and clinical development leading to a dramatic increase in the opportunities for biopharmaceutical companies' drug-development programs," Logan said. "Our expanded team is equipped to help customers take advantage of the benefits of conducting clinical trials in this region, while navigating through the developing regulatory environment and leveraging support resources."

INC is hardly the only CRO looking to South Korea to expand its business. The number of clinical trials in the country jumped 150% from 2006 to 2009, according to CROAsia, and global CRO Parexel ($PRXL) recently teamed up with the Korea Drug Development Fund to create and commercialize therapies there.

- read INC's statement

Special Report: Top Emerging CRO Markets -- South Korea