PRA, a global CRO, has opened a second office in China to accommodate its expansion in China and the Asia Pacific region.

The new facility, located in the central business district of Beijing, will enhance the company’s local project teams' ability to meet the growing demand for its clinical drug development programs and collocate it with many of its key clients in Beijing.

"As the demand for clinical sites in Asia increase, we continually strive to strengthen our existing operations in China and the Asia Pacific region," said Helen Neal, regional director  of clinical operations, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, PRA. "By adding more professional staff and locations, we can give our clients greater access to these critical markets and geography. In addition to our expansion in China, we continue to increase our presence into new and emerging Southeast Asian regions for access to patients and resources."

Kent Thoelke, executive vice president of scientific and medical affairs, added, "In order for global drug development to continue successfully, the need to access patients at high-quality ICH/GCP sites in emerging regions like China is critical. PRA's expansion in this market gives us the ability to bring exciting new clinical trials to a much broader market in China, while providing even greater patient access to our clients and sponsor companies."

PRA has been operating in China for over 10 years and also has an office in Hong Kong. Additional Asia Pacific locations include South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and India.