Celerion adds bronchoscopy suite in Belfast

Celerion, a US provider of early stage drug development solutions, has expanded its capabilities in the respiratory therapeutic area with the addition of a dedicated Bronchoscopy Suite at its Belfast, Northern Ireland facility.

The Bronchoscopy Suite will allow bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to be performed using study participants from Celerion’s database.

The new suite complements the company’s ability to explore the expression and quantification of protein biomarkers within the fluid lining of the lower respiratory tract. Using a multiplex approach, BAL samples can be analysed for a panel of customised biomarkers and thereby provide a more reliable picture of the performance of potential airway drug candidates.

‘Celerion has conducted a number of studies that include mild to moderate and severe asthmatics, COPD and Cystic Fibrosis patients. Due to an increasing demand from clients for analysis of BAL samples, the dedicated Bronchoscopy Suite offers on-site access to this procedure,’ said Phil Bach, VP of Clinical Research at Celerion.

‘This investment continues to demonstrate Celerion’s response to the market’s increasing demand for conducting Phase I studies in patients with access to more specialised techniques.’

Celerion’s facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland, also has extensive early stage clinical capabilities based on first-in-human experience with both NCEs and biologics, as well as bioequivalence, biosimilars, obesity, men’s sexual health, ophthalmic and gastro-intestinal studies.