MDS Pharma Services, a leading provider of innovative drug discovery and development solutions, is renovating and expanding its discovery pharmacology operation in Taiwan is under way to serve the growing global demand for work performed in Asia.

No disruption in client service is anticipated during the renovation and expansion, which will be completed in 2010. The Asian capacity expansion is aligned with the new MDS Pharma Services strategic focus on Early Stage operations – Discovery through Phase IIa proof-of-concept service – and its commitment to serve clients in an important emerging market.

The Taiwan facility supports both molecular screening and profiling, as well as in vivo safety and efficacy testing, and the renovation plan calls for significant expansions and upgrades in each area. In vivo capacity has been doubled, and will include dedicated space tailored to individual client needs. Furthermore, the site’s automated molecular screening and profiling capability and efficiency will be improved with additional robotic high-throughput screening capacity and analytical support.

“This new and expanded facility will cement our position as the global leader in the discovery pharmacology space, where we are one of the top two providers of molecular screening, and a key supplier of in vivo efficacy and safety testing,” said MDS Pharma Services President David Spaight. “This investment builds on a 40-year track record of success in this service area, and supports our recently announced strategic focus on the Discovery through Phase IIa Proof-of-Concept segment of the outsourcing market.”

The Taiwan site is part of MDS Pharma Services’ Pharmacology/DMPK line of service, which offers molecular, cellular, ADME/DMPK and in vivo assays for use in identifying lead drug candidates, profiling for selectivity, determining potential for adverse events, evaluating efficacy and establishing proof of concept. To help speed lead optimization earlier in the discovery phase and streamline the surest path to the clinic, the Taiwan facility offers extensive capabilities in molecular and cellular pharmacology, including more than 800 assays, multiple assay methodologies, high-throughput screening with robotic automation, and expert assay development.

Date: June 8, 2009
Source: MDS Pharma Services