Gov. Jay Nixon today joined leadership of Pharma Medica Research Inc. as well as local government and economic development officials in cutting the ribbon on the company’s new research facility in St. Charles. The $30.8 million project will bring 320 new high-tech jobs to the state within the next three years.
“I’m proud to be here today to officially welcome Pharma Medica Research Inc. to Missouri and celebrate another win for our growing economy,” said Gov. Nixon. “Pharma Medica’s decision to invest in St. Charles will create hundreds of jobs in this region and strengthen Missouri’s position as a leader in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries – two sectors that continue to provide high-paying jobs and spur economic growth throughout the Show-Me State.”
Pharma Medica Research Inc. is a contract research organization headquartered in Toronto that serves clients in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. It offers a wide range of services including scientific affairs, medical writing, clinical conduct, bioanalysis, biostastics, data management, and clinical trial monitoring. The company started hiring employees in late August and plans to begin conducting clinical trials in January 2014.
Last month, Gov. Nixon and Pharma Medica Research Inc. officials announced the company’s intention to expand to St. Charles. The company purchased and renovated an existing building that includes 103,000 square feet of clinic space as well as room for additional future expansion. The St. Charles facility will be the company’s first expansion outside of Canada. Earlier this year, Governor Nixon met with company officials at the 2013 International BIO Convention in Chicago to discuss opportunities for growth in Missouri.
“This new facility in St. Charles provides excellent opportunities for Pharma Medica Research Inc.,” said Mohammed Bouhajib of Pharma Medica Research Inc. “Here we have access to an experienced workforce and booming biotech and pharmaceutical industries. By expanding here, we’re better positioned to compete and succeed in a global economy.”
“Pharma Medica Research Inc.’s expansion here is great news for the City of St. Charles,” said Mayor Sally Faith. “We look forward to strengthening our partnership with the company as it grows in St. Charles, creates quality jobs, and bolsters our local economy.”
“We’re delighted to celebrate today with Pharma Medica Research Inc. as they open the new St. Charles facility,” said St. Louis Regional Chamber President & Chief Executive Officer Joe Reagan.”The company’s presence enhances the region’s already broad network of biotech businesses and strengthens our regional workforce and economy.”
With more than 4,000 bioscience, agribusiness and life science companies located in the state, Missouri is a national leader in this growing industry. Missouri is also home to the Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis and Stowers Institute in Kansas City, as well as world-class research institutions such as Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Missouri System and others. A growing international center of biopharmaceuticals, biomedical research and plant science, Missouri is also home to a thriving animal health corridor that extends from St. Joseph and Kansas City to Columbia and Fulton.
The state of Missouri helped make Pharma Medica Research Inc.’s expansion to St. Charles possible through a strategic package of economic incentives, which the company can redeem if it meets the strict job creation and investment criteria.