Global contract research organization Kendle has opened its new operations center in the special economic zone (SEZ) of the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar Knowledge Corridor. The new SEZ center represents a strategic investment for Kendle and demonstrates the company's commitment to further invest in Asia/Pacific region.

The SEZ operations center will focus on delivery of clinical data management, medical writing, pharmacovigilance/safety, biostatistics/programming and other knowledge processing-related services. Kendle's SEZ operations center will initially employ approximately 50 professionals at the site and is expected to scale up to 300 associates in the near term.

"Growth in India is a key component of our strategy and will be very important to the future of Kendle," said Stephen Cutler, senior vice president and chief operating officer. "Our expanded presence in Asia, and in India in particular, creates efficiencies in the clinical development process for our customers worldwide and positions Kendle as a leading provider of high-quality, innovative and cost-effective clinical development services in this growing market."