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PPD Company History

in Clinical Development and Laboratory Services
Who We Are Our Mission Company History

HELPING TO DELIVER LIFE-CHANGING THERAPIES to IMPROVE HEALTH

From its beginnings in 1985 as a one-person consulting firm to its position today as a leading global contract research organization (CRO), PPD’s history is shaped by its commitment to consistent quality and execution, exceptional customer-aligned service and continuous innovation to speed the overall execution of clinical trials.

With more than 28,000 professionals worldwide, PPD has conducted clinical trials in more than 100 countries to help customers deliver life-changing therapies to improve health. We apply innovative technologies, therapeutic expertise and a firm commitment to quality to bend the cost and time curve of drug development and optimize value.

David Simmons
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

“We measure our success by customers who are pleased partners, employees who are driven and engaged, and patients who are getting quality therapies faster. Our passion and drive for excellence are strong, and we are optimistic about the future of our company and the industry.”

  1. 1985

    1985

    Founded by Fred Eshelman, Pharm. D., as a one-person consulting firm

  2. 1986

    1986

    Expands scope to include development services

  3. 1989

    1989

    Incorporates in North Carolina

  4. 1995

    1995

    Expands to Europe, the Middle East and Africa with acquisition of Gabbay Group, a CRO in the U.K.

  5. 1996

    1996

    Initial public stock offering

    Acquires Applied BioScience International, which includes Pharmaco and several European regional drug development companies

    Expands to Latin America with acquisition of Brazil-based CRO

  6. 1997

    1997

    Offers drug discovery services

    Expands to Asia-Pacific region with opening of office in Australia

  7. 2001

    2001

    Declares a one-for-one stock dividend

  8. 2002

    2002

    Acquires Medical Research Laboratories International, adding central lab services in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa to its offerings for clients

    Acquires ProPharma, an Asian-based CRO, which significantly expands PPD’s footprint in Asia-Pacific

  9. 2005

    2005

    Revenue exceeds $1 billion

  10. 2006

    2006

    PPD board approves a two-for-one split of the company’s common stock

  11. 2007

    2007

    10,000+ employees globally

  12. 2008

    2008

    Purchases InnoPharm, a CRO based in Russia, expanding PPD’s global reach with offices in both Russia and Ukraine

  13. 2009

    2009

    Acquires AbCRO, a CRO in Central and Eastern Europe, strengthening PPD’s presence in a high-growth, emerging region for clinical research

    Expanded PPD’s presence in China significantly with acquisitions in that country

  14. 2010

    2010

    Spins off its compound partnering division as Furiex Pharmaceuticals, an independent company

    Celebrates 25th anniversary

  15. 2011

    2011

    Acquired by affiliates of The Carlyle Group and affiliates of Hellman & Friedman

  16. 2013

    2013

    Acquires Acurian, a leading full-service provider of clinical trial patient enrollment and retention solutions

  17. 2014

    2014

    Announces agreement to form PPD-SNBL, a joint venture providing a full range of clinical development services in Japan

  18. 2015

    2015

    Acquires network of U.S.-based research sites via Radiant

  19. 2016

    2016

    Acquires Evidera, a leading provider of evidence-based solutions, establishing a global leader in real-world research

    Acquires network of global research sites via Synexus

    15,000+ employees globally

  20. 2017

    2017

    Affiliates of The Carlyle Group and affiliates of Hellman & Friedman recapitalize PPD and add two new investors, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and an affiliate of GIC

    20,000+ employees globally

  21. 2018

    2018

    Establishes Accelerated Enrollment Solutions (AES), a business unit that combines patient data and a network of clinical research sites

  22. 2019

    2019

    Revenue exceeds $4 billion

    AES acquires the clinical research site business of Bioclinica

    Evidera acquires Medimix, a global technology company providing real-world evidence insights

  23. 2020

    2020

    Initial public stock offering

    Announces plans to expand operations in China by opening a multifunctional lab, along with enlarging existing and opening new clinical development offices

    25,000+ employees globally

  24. 2021

    2021

    Thermo Fisher Scientific announces plans to acquire PPD

    28,000+ employees globally