Frontage expand bioanalytical capabilities to support drug development, biomarker testing and high throughput sample management
Pennsylvania-based CRO, Frontage Holdings Corporation (PA, USA), known for providing science-driven product development services has announced the completion of the expansion of its bioanalytical laboratories based in Exton (PA, USA). The laboratory expansion is designed to enhance the group’s bioanalytical capabilities.
The expansion of the Exton-based bioanalytical laboratories took place through the group’s subsidiary, Frontage Laboratories, Inc. The 10,000 square feet expansion brings Frontage’s total laboratory size at Exton to 80,000 square-feet.
The expansion comes shortly after the completion of a 42,000 square feet expansion at Frontage’s Shanghai facilities in September 2019. In Shanghai, the new laboratory space was also dedicated to bioanalysis, specifically the sample management of small molecule programs.
The 10,000 square-feet expansion at the Exton laboratories are designed to enhance the group’s bioanalytical capabilities and facilitate its ability to support clients’ drug development programs. The increased capacity and capabilities are to be used to support biologic and small molecule drug development programs. This will include cell and gene therapies and biomarker testing.
The increased laboratory space has allowed the group to enhance its instrumentation, automation, software and personnel capacity. With the introduction of a dedicated cell and gene therapy center, DNA and RNA sample preparation, PCR, flow cytometry and cell culturing will now take place in dedicated laboratories. The expansion will also place Frontage in a position to support phase II–IV clinical studies, with greater PK, biomarker and immunogenicity capabilities.
John Lin, EVP of Frontage’s global bioanalytical services explained: “The expansion provides our clients with heightened biomarker and biologic services in a state-of-the-art facility to facilitate drug discovery and development. It enables Frontage to provide the enhanced capability and capacity for the bioanalytical support of the gene and cell therapies and late phase clinical studies.”
In total, in less than 4 months, Frontage Laboratories has added 52,000 square-feet of laboratory space to support bioanalytical applications.
