PPD inks deal to buy Russian CRO

PPD says it's inked a deal to buy InnoPharm, an independent contract research organization based in Russia. The buyout gives PPD reach into the Russian and Ukrainian markets. "With more than 143 million people in Russia alone, Eastern Europe is a high-growth market for clinical trials and a region PPD has targeted for expansion," said Fred Eshelman, chief executive officer of PPD. InnoPharm employs about 300 people.

- check out the release
- here's the AP report