Cincinnati-based contract research organization (CRO) Kendle opened three new international offices--in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Bangkok, Thailand; and Manila, Philippines.

The company has been active in the Asia-Pacific region since 1998 and has existing offices in China, India, Singapore and Australia. The new offices will provide Kendle customers with additional access to patients and increased efficiencies in the clinical development process, as well as strengthen Kendle's ability to foster global strategic alliances, according to CEO Candace Kendle.

"With more than half of the world's population, Asia offers an abundance of patients in nearly every therapeutic area," said Dr. Ross Horsburgh, Vice President, Global Clinical Development - Asia/Pacific, in a company statement. "Furthermore, governments have highlighted biopharmaceutical development as a key pillar to their economies, resulting in much more favorable environments for global clinical development work."