INC Research Holdings, a global phase I to IV CRO, has announced the relocation and expansion of its Osaka, Japan office in support of the company’s long-term growth strategy both in Japan and across the Asia/Pacific region.

Since the beginning of 2015 INC Research’s Japanese operations have more than tripled their employee headcount and expect continued strong growth. The new Osaka office further expands the company's presence in the Asia/Pacific region to provide its global drug development customers with expanded access to Japan, the world’s second largest pharmaceutical market and a valued destination for regional and global clinical trials. The company’s presence in Japan also is supported by an office in the Shinagawa ward in Tokyo.

"Since establishing a strategic R&D presence in Japan, INC Research has experienced an exciting and notable period of initial growth," said Miranda Porter, Ph.D., senior vice president, Clinical Development, Tokyo, who provides overall leadership for the company’s Japan operations. "Our goal is to be the global ‘CRO of Choice’ in Japan, not only for customers but for employees as well. Our Japanese presence combines INC Research’s global expertise and therapeutically-aligned delivery model along with local experience and knowledge regarding Japan’s regulatory, healthcare, clinical trial site and cultural environments. This unique combination allows us to provide quality services to customers seeking to conduct global and regional studies in Japan, and also to attract exceptional Japanese employees who are interested in the opportunity to work for a global CRO. We look forward to the continued growth of INC Research within Japan.”

INC Research’s unique approach to the Japan market leverages the Company’s established global expertise, innovative Trusted Process project management methodology and strong relationships with study sites. Local operations also feature English-speaking management, regulatory and therapeutic staff with experience delivering quality trials with full-service capabilities that balance innovation and respect for Japan-specific nuances. In addition to having a bilingual leadership team based in Japan, INC Research employs both project management and CRA staff in all key service areas, including study start-up, biometrics, biostatistics, project management, medical monitoring, safety and pharmacovigilance, medical writing and quality assurance.

The core teams at both the Osaka and Tokyo offices offer decades of experience managing local and global clinical trials within Japan across a wide array of therapeutic indications, with notable experience in CNS and oncology clinical development as well as FSP relationships.

The new Osaka office is located at 10th Floor Umeda Daibiru, 3-3-10 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka- Shi, Osaka 530-0001 and was chosen for its convenient location and proximity to the region’s bullet train and major drug development areas.

INC Research currently has 19 offices throughout the Asia/Pacific region in addition to Japan including offices in China, India, Australia, Singapore, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and New Zealand. The company has a long history of providing phase I to IV clinical development services in the Asia/Pacific region, conducting more than 1,800 studies across a broad range of therapeutic areas.