PPD and Southern Research Institute announced they have formed a collaborative agreement in pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccine research and development to provide clients a full spectrum of influenza vaccine development services by collaborating on client bids and projects.

As part of the agreement, Southern Research will transfer its seasonal assays and reagents to PPD, strengthening PPD's influenza vaccine testing services. In return, PPD will help build Southern Research's preclinical influenza and clinical pandemic/highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) testing business through client referrals.

PPD is a leader in development and testing services for vaccines and biologics and offers a large collection of commercial vaccine assays. It provides submission support services for new and modified vaccines as well as a wide range of other products, including blood components and recombinant therapeutic proteins.

Southern Research is a preclinical developer and service provider of assays for influenza vaccine sample testing and has played a key role in the analysis and development of new and existing vaccines and antivirals for both seasonal and highly pathogenic influenza. It is often among the first research organizations to respond to emerging disease threats, including highly pathogenic Avian and pandemic influenzas. Southern Research also provides serology support for clinical trials of influenza vaccines, including vaccines for the latest pandemic flu.

"This key collaboration enhances PPD's position as the first CRO to offer a comprehensive menu of vaccine assay development and testing services to support vaccine clinical trials with faster, more cost-efficient laboratory solutions," said Christine Dingivan, M.D., chief medical officer of PPD. "Our agreement with Southern Research further expands our large collection of commercial vaccine assays with very important capabilities in the influenza vaccine field and enables us to expand our partnerships with influenza vaccine developers in the commercial, government and nonprofit sectors."

Nancy M Gray, Ph.D., vice president of corporate development, Southern Research Institute, added, "By partnering with PPD, Southern Research has the opportunity to expand its client base for the well-recognized work our scientists perform in the influenza research field. By working closely with one of the world's top clinical CROs and leaders in the fields of vaccine clinical trials conduct and laboratory testing, we can provide an unmatched breadth of influenza services to our clients. Together, we will offer a full spectrum of influenza research capabilities with highly respected bench to market support."

PPD is a leading global contract research organization, celebrating 25 years of providing discovery and development services. The clients and partners include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, academic and government organizations.

Southern Research Institute is a nonprofit 501© 3 scientific research organization that conducts preclinical drug discovery and development, and advanced engineering research in materials, systems development, environment and energy.