Aptuit to invest US$16m in capacity and capabilities
Will also hire 90 additional scientists during 2016
Aptuit, a global drug discovery and development contract research organisation, is to build on its capabilities during 2016 to meet increased demand from customers for discovery, chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) and non-clinical development services.
In addition to investing US$16m in facility upgrades and equipment to enhance its integrated development capabilities, the firm will also appoint 90 new scientists during 2016 across all areas at its facilities in Oxford, UK and Verona, Italy.
Aptuit's existing expertise in drug design and discovery will also be strengthened with additional capacity and targeted investments in hit identification solutions, translational and biomarkers capabilities and late lead optimisation strategies.
CMC will be strengthened with additional technologies in clinical manufacturing, in particular to its tableting and encapsulating; increasing the footprint and capabilities of its formulation development facilities to expand its capability to develop poorly soluble products; and specific investments in quality control and material sciences.
'Customers have noted our unique capabilities in integrated discovery, integrated CMC and integrated development,' said Jonathan Goldman, Aptuit's Chief Executive.
'We are delighted to leverage our core scientific expertise and respond to this increase in demand especially in discovery and various CMC disciplines.'
He continued: 'Our growth programme will lead to a significant increase in capacity allowing us to deliver more high-quality integrated CMC and help our customers increase their chances of successful IND filing. We will deliver these services from our fully integrated R&D facilities in Verona, Italy, and Oxford, UK.'