The Swiss-based life science service provider company SGS Life Sciences is investing around US $50mn for setting up new clinical trial facility for carrying out phase I trial in the US. The new centre will begin its commercial activities from the second quarter of 2008. It is also planning to set up its new phase I clinical trial centre in Asia Pacific.

The company is a leading contract service organisation providing drug development services for phase I to IV clinical trials, bio statistical management services, regulatory affairs services and bio analytical laboratory services, as well as comprehensive high quality testing capabilities in microbiology, analytical chemistry, biocompatibility, toxicology, microbiology, sterility, method development and stability testing to pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and cosmetics companies worldwide.

Speaking to Pharmabiz, Minakumari, director, said, "We are setting up two new phase I clinical centre in the US and Asian region. Our US' phase I centre will be ready by Q2, 2008 but we haven't selected the location for the Asian region. At present we are doing survey in India and China and very soon we will be finalising the location".

SGS` business unit Life Science Services is the international provider of analytical services to the biopharmaceutical and cosmetics industry. All services are provided at cGMP and GLP conditions to national and international clients. With the current manpower strength around 1300 in the clinical trial segment, it is planning to reach up to 2000 before the expansion plan. Currently, it is actively involved in various therapeutic areas, namely, HIV, respiratory and cardiovascular. It has plans to enter the oncology therapeutic segment very soon. "We are looking out an acquisition from the US market. With the help of US acquisition, we will be entering the oncology segment," Minakumari said.

The company performs quality control and laboratory testing in certificated laboratories and guarantee compliance with regulatory guidelines and internal and external quality control standards. In the clinical research segment it supports pharmaceutical and biotech companies, or companies in the development and approval of new or newly formulated drugs for human beings. It has vast experience and broad expertise in quality control testing of pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceutical and medical devices. SGS operates the largest network of the quality control laboratories. At presents its 16 laboratories are available in Europe, North America, and Asian region. The top 20 pharma companies trust SGS as a partner and use SGS life science service for their QC testing needs.

Talking about further initiative, Minakumari, said "We are also planning to set up our new unit for the bio-pharma in US and Asia and it is also expected during the same time".