PPD Development
Talent Scotland spoke to PPD to find out more about what they do and their plans for the future.
What does PPD do?
We are a leading global contract research organisation providing drug discovery, development and lifecycle-management services. Our clients and partners include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, academic and government organisations.
With offices in 45 countries and more than 11,500 professionals worldwide, PPD applies innovative technologies and therapeutic expertise to help clients and partners accelerate the delivery of safe and effective therapeutics.
How was the company founded?
PPD was founded in 1985 by Fred Eshelman as a one-person consulting firm in Maryland in the USA. Over the past quarter-century, the company has grown to its position as one of the leading contract research organisations in the world.
Today, PPD is pursuing its long-term business strategy as a private company under the ownership of two leading global investment firms with track records of successful health care investments: The Carlyle Group and Hellman & Friedman.
Tell us more about your operations in Scotland.
Scotland’s intellectual and technical resources make it an important hub for PPD’s global clinical research operations. Our decision to further expand operations in Lanarkshire is in large part a tribute to our employees here, but it also reflects the importance of Scotland as a centre of operations for biopharmaceutical research and development globally.
Strathclyde Business Park meets our requirements in terms of office space and information technology infrastructure, and offers the opportunity for future expansion. We require a quality working environment for our employees, as well as opportunities to attract and recruit more staff, which Bellshill and this location offer.
Key considerations for us also include the national and international transportation routes that our business demands.
What are PPD’s plans for growth?
As biopharmaceutical companies respond to a changing industry landscape, a growing number need to outsource a larger percentage of their research and development portfolios. We have positioned PPD as a development partner of choice through our client-tailored models.
PPD’s clinical development and laboratory services are the cornerstones of our business. We are committed to enhancing and expanding these core strengths to continue providing robust service offerings that support our clients in delivering new medicines and therapies to market as quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively as possible and with the greatest quality.
We are continually looking to expand and develop our team in Scotland in all areas of development services.
How would you describe the company culture?
We encourage our employees to demonstrate creativity, innovation and fresh insights as well as a solution-focused approach. We also value teamwork and enthusiasm. Employees who embrace excellence have a chance to earn rewards.
More detailed descriptions of the services and current opportunities we offer can be found by visiting the website.