Global CRO Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD) has appointed Yasumasa Kurioka as general manager of PPD-SNBL, the joint venture formed between PPD and Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories (SNBL) earlier this year to expand clinical development services in Japan.

“Yasu brings extensive clinical operations leadership experience, as well as significant scientific expertise to his position,” said Paul Colvin, executive vice president of clinical development at PPD and chairman and chief executive officer of PPD-SNBL. “I am confident he will implement innovative operational strategies that will enable PPD-SNBL to use its extensive resources, long-term experience and local expertise to further meet its clients’ needs in this important global market.”

Ryoichi Nagata, M.D., Ph.D., chairman and president of SNBL and president of PPD-SNBL, said Kurioka’s appointment will help the company generate additional opportunities in Japan. “As one of the largest clinical development service providers in Japan, PPD-SNBL already is uniquely positioned to help its clients seize opportunities in this thriving market. Yasu’s wealth of local knowledge and expertise from his years of experience in this market will enhance our already strong operational position.”

Kurioka most recently served as the senior director, country head of clinical operations in Japan, for another global CRO. During the 20 years prior to that, he held a variety of clinical research, project management and operations leadership roles with Eli Lilly and the former Ciba-Geigy in Japan.

As announced late last year, the joint venture combines SNBL’s clinical research division and PPD’s clinical development operations in Japan and provides a full range of services, including Phase I-IV clinical trial monitoring, project management, biostatistics, site intelligence and activation, data management, medical writing, pharmacovigilance, regulatory and FSP services.

With offices in Tokyo, Osaka and Kagoshima, and about 400 clinical development professionals, the joint venture brings together PPD’s global resources and clinical trial expertise with SNBL’s nearly 20-year history and in-depth knowledge of providing clinical development services for biopharmaceutical companies in Japan.