ClinTec to open four more offices in Asia as it eyes expansion

CLINICAL research firm ClinTec has unveiled plans to open four more offices in Asia in the next three months as the Glasgow-based business continues its international expansion.

ClinTec - which carries out laboratory research on behalf of clients including big pharmaceutical companies - yesterday opened bases in China, Singapore and Thailand.

The firm announced it would also add offices in Indonesia, Malaysia South Korea and Taiwan during the next quarter.

The company's expansion in the region follows the appointment of Mary Pan as its director of Asia-Pacific.

Chief executive Rabinder Buttar, who founded the company in 1997, said: "Entering into the emerging markets has always proved to be a huge success for us and we expect the same from the Asia Pacific market.

"Whilst other clinical research organisations have tended to acquire local companies in Asia Pacific to expand their geographical presence, ClinTec has remained true to its strategy of organic growth and employing its own local staff."

Buttar added: "Several multinational companies in pharmaceutical and clinical nutrition product development are already working in partnership with ClinTec to undertake significant clinical research projects in the region."

ClinTec has opened offices in 25 countries over the past two years, expanding its network to cover 40 nations.

Aim-quoted private equity investor Elephant Capital bought a 28 per cent stake in ClinTec in August for 8 million. At the time, the Scottish firm said the money would be used to fund its Indian expansion and its move into the Asia-Pacific region.

Elephant has since written down its investment in ClinTec by 2.5m in two stages following a slowdown in the number of projects coming on stream, but said it was confident that the firm's management would keep the business on track.