KANNAPOLIS ó PPD Inc., a global contract research organization, will open an office at the N.C. Research Campus, bringing up to 300 new jobs, campus founder David Murdock announced at a press conference this morning.
PPD will add the clinical research-related jobs in the next two to three years, Murdock, chairman and owner of Castle & Cooke and Dole Food Company, said.
ěWhen I promised three years ago that the NC Research Campus would attract the greatest scientists and companies in the world to create cures for our most deadly and debilitating diseases, it was with companies like PPD in mind,î Murdock told reporters and officials. ěThe presence of PPD is only the beginning. The future is bright.î
Leaders from the scientific, medical, economic development and business communities participated in the news conference to stress the importance of the announcement. They included Dr. Andrew Conrad, Research Campus chief scientific officer; Norris Tolson, president and CEO of the N.C. Biotechnology Center; Carol Lovin, senior vice president of Carolinas HealthCare Systemís Management Company; Dr. James McDeavitt, senior vice president of education and research for Carolinas Healthcare Center; Ronnie Bryant, president and CEO of the Charlotte Regional Partnership; N.C. Sen. Fletcher Hartsell, R-Concord; Mayor Bob Misenheimer; Cabarrus County Commissioner Chairman Jay White; and John Cox, president and CEO of the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce.
ěFor a couple of years, I have heard many great things about the NC Research Campus,î said Fred Eshelman, CEO of Wilmington-based PPD. ěAfter meeting with Mr. Murdock and visiting the campus, I realized this project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where industry and academic scientists can freely collaborate to bring innovations in scientific research to market, increasing the length and quality of human life.î
For Clyde Higgs, vice president of business development for the Research Campus, PPDís presence indicates a great plan, great people and a great mission coming together to create a one-of-a-kind research environment.
ěYou are beginning to see that buildings arenít the only thing rising in Kannapolis,î said Higgs. ěHaving a global contract research organization like PPD at the Research Campus continues our mission to make the N.C. Research Campus the worldís top scientific community that will be the home of groundbreaking research and development.î
PPDís expansion of its contract research operations into a 40,000-square-foot office space will provide hundreds of jobs for clinical research associates, clinical project managers and other medical and scientific personnel.
PPD will co-locate with Carolinas Healthcare System in the Medical Office Building at the Research Campus.
As positions become available at the Research Campus, staffing these positions will be a high priority. In response to these job opportunities, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is developing a certificate and degree program for clinical research associates.
In addition to researchers from Duke University, the University of North Carolina system and the N.C. Community College System, the Research Campus houses operations from companies like Anatomics, Angiogen, Carolinas Healthcare System and Red Hat.