Harlan to invest €3.5m to upgrade Itingen site
Will expand its testing and research services in Switzerland
Harlan Laboratories Contract Research Services (CRS) is investing €3.5m (US$4.5m) at its Itingen site in Switzerland to expand its testing and research services.
New developments at the plant will include enhancements to the inhalation facility, upgrading the barrier protected area for chronic and sub-chronic studies and an entire floor dedicated to reproductive and rodent toxicology, as well as building new laboratory areas for clinical diagnostics, biochemical analysis and foetal pathology.
The investment follows Harlan’s decision to consolidate the operations of its Füllinsdorf plant into the Itingen site. The company says the move will enable it to deliver a more efficient and focused toxicology service in Switzerland.
This is an exciting development which we believe will offer many benefits to our customers
‘This is an exciting development which we believe will offer many benefits to our customers,’ said Hans Thunem, CEO of Harlan Laboratories.
‘We indicated last year that our commitment to our operations in Switzerland was strong but being tested by lack of profitability. With the results delivered by our employees over the last 12 months, it is rewarding to be able now to make new investments in our Swiss operations.’
Harlan also aims to recruit more staff to strengthen its expertise in histology and will make further announcements about this by the end of January.
In addition, the company is increasing its histopathology support and as well as its own in-house pathologists and an ongoing relationship with Anapath, it is expanding its pathologist panel to include experts from the UK and France. These developments follow the appointment of Dr Wendy Henderson as Global Head of Pathology in August.