PPD-SNBL will combine SNBL’s clinical research division and PPD’s
clinical development operations in Japan, and it will have offices in
Tokyo, Osaka and Kagoshima with approximately 400 clinical development
professionals.
The JV will be majority owned by PPD and Ryoichi Nagata M.D., Ph.D.,
chairman and president of SNBL, will serve as president. The companies
also entered an agreement to collaborate on a number of areas outside of
the joint venture in Japan, which will involve SNBL’s early stage
businesses (including translational research out-licensing business),
Phase I services in the U.S. for Japanese bridging studies, specialized
neuroscience studies, vaccines studies and biologic studies, Phase I
services in Japan, Japanese bioanalysis services, and site management
services in Japan.
“PPD is honored to be joining forces with SNBL to provide a unique
clinical development service offering in Japan for biopharmaceutical
clients,” said David Simmons, chairman and chief executive officer of
PPD. “PPD-SNBL will be one of the largest clinical development service
providers in Japan, both for clients seeking to conduct global clinical
trials and also for trials based solely in Japan, and builds on the
shared commitment of both organizations to the delivery of high-quality
clinical development services.”
Dr. Nagata said, “The close partnership between SNBL and PPD offers
significant opportunities to promote and strengthen global clinical
trials in Japan. In addition, the formation of this joint venture would
also assist in completing our plan of building a strong global value
chain in the entire drug development process.”
The transactions, subject to customary closing conditions, are expected to close in April 2015. |