PPD, Southern Research Enter Flu Pact

PPD and Southern Research Institute have entered into a collaborative agreement for pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccine R&D in an effort to provide clients with a full spectrum of vaccine development services. Southern Research will transfer its seasonal assays and reagents to PPD, adding to PPD’s flu vaccine testing services. In return, PPD will help build Southern Research’s preclinical flu and clinical pandemic/highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) testing business through client referrals.

“This key collaboration enhances PPD’s position as the first CRO to offer a comprehensive menu of vaccine assay development and testing services to support vaccine clinical trials with faster, more cost-efficient laboratory solutions,” said Christine Ding Ivan, M.D., chief medical officer of PPD. “Our agreement with Southern Research further expands our large collection of commercial vaccine assays with very important capabilities in the influenza vaccine field and enables us to expand our partnerships with influenza vaccine developers in the commercial, government and nonprofit sectors.”

Nancy M. Gray, Ph.D., vice president of corporate development, Southern Research Institute, added, “By partnering with PPD, Southern Research has the opportunity to expand its client base for the well-recognized work our scientists perform in the influenza research field. By working closely with one of the world’s top clinical CROs and leaders in the fields of vaccine clinical trials conduct and laboratory testing, we can provide an unmatched breadth of influenza services to our clients. Together, we will offer a full spectrum of influenza research capabilities with highly respected bench-to-market support.”