MPI Research, the US-based contract research organisation (CRO) specialising in preclinical and early clinical services, has opened an office in Ahmedabad, India.

The CRO had previously served the Indian market from its corporate headquarters in Mattawan, Michigan, where it laid off some 200 employees late last year, citing project delays and cancellations in a “dire” economic climate.

The rapid growth of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries in India called for something closer to home, MPI explained. “The Indian biopharma market is booming, and having a local presence there will give our sponsors the support that they need,” commented William Harrison.

The Ahmedabad office will serve the whole of India under the management of Bina Ramini, a research chemist and longstanding CRO consultant. It also fits with MPI’s globalisation strategy, which has led to offices in the UK, France, Australia, Korea and Japan as well as a joint venture in China with local company Shanghai Medicilon.