The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences is partnering with a Virginia investment firm to open a new contract research lab on the nonprofit's campus in Research Triangle Park.
The joint venture between Hamner and Charlottesville-based PBM Capital Group will be called Triangle Research Labs. It will focus on screening drug components prior to clinical studies to give biotech and pharmaceutical companies insurances that the compounds in their drugs aren't toxic to humans.
“This partnership with PBM Capital Group aligns quite well with our shared vision to advance global public health,” said William Greenlee, president and CEO of The Hamner, in a release.
As part of the deal, PBM is shifting the contract research service operations of its GigaCyte subsidiary in Connecticut to Hamner's RTP location.
Triangle Research Labs will be led by Ivin Silver, a former director at GlaxoSmithKline.
Hamner, founded in 1974 to study the safety of chemicals, is expanding rapidly at its RTP campus at 6 Davis Drive.
Earlier this year it announced plans for a new 150,000-square-foot research facility that is expected to open in 2013.
The project is a joint venture between North Carolina and Chinese officials to create a biosciences gateway in RTP for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other businesses that want to expand in either country.
Hamner's master plan calls for adding up to 1 million square feet of space in six additional buildings on its 56-acre RTP headquarters campus over the next five to seven years.
Business reporter David Bracken came to the N&O in 2004. He covers commercial and residential real estate. Contact David at 919-829-4548 or