Albany Molecular Research (AMRI), a New York-based global CRO, has expanded into the protein market, with an initial focus on protein expression and purification. The global revenue of the total proteomics market is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of about 4.1% to about $9.2 billion by 2018.

AMRI's current and ongoing activities—as part of its New York State Public-Private Partnership in Buffalo, N.Y. —encompass the production of purified recombinant proteins as reagents and tools for biological assays and sterile, pyrogen-free materials for proof-of-concept, non-human in vivo studies. Current production capabilities range from a scale of one to 100 milligrams. The protein expression systems and methods of focus are E. coli, mammalian and baculovirus.

"Under Governor Andrew Cuomo's Buffalo Billion Initiative, we look forward to working with AMRI to provide these vital new services at the Buffalo Medical Innovation and Commercialization (BMIC) Hub to support pharmaceutical development, technology optimization, and related R&D opportunities," said Michael Liehr, executive vice president of innovation and technology and vice president for research of the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering/SUNYIT institution, a lead partner in the BMIC Hub.

AMRI unveiled an IND-enabling support services platform in March 2014. This platform of services is aimed at supporting the successful initiation and completion of customer IND programs. AMRI now provides in vitro DMPK studies related to drug-drug interactions and metabolism, which are routinely included in IND submissions.