New PDA Training And Research Institute Facility Opens Its Doors

The Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) today officially opened its new world class Training and Research Institute. Previously located in Baltimore, Maryland, the new operation has been consolidated with PDA's global headquarters, in Bethesda, Maryland, near to the state's I-270 technology corridor and close in proximity to many established and emerging biotechnology companies, as well as US regulatory authorities.

"As an organization with global reach, PDA's goal is to be the foremost provider of science, technology and regulatory information and education for the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry," said Robert Myers, PDA President. "This new facility is unparalleled in the business, and will provide hands-on, intensive, job-focused training and education to people in the pharmaceutical sciences. Professionals will come to the PDA Training and Research Institute (PDA TRI) to improve their knowledge of sterile processing, quality assurance, quality control, manufacturing and regulatory affairs. In addition to training industry and FDA, PDA has trained a number of foreign inspectorates from Europe, Kazakhstan and Japan. PDA will also be training the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) from China in 2008."

PDA TRI includes a modern aseptic processing suite with a filling room, gowning and degowning area, component prep lab and clean staging area, with supporting state-of the-art utilities. The Institute also contains microbiology and biotech labs, a Clean-in-Place lab, classrooms for up to 40 students, as well as student areas.

PDA TRI will host numerous laboratory courses annually, including PDA's industry-standard Aseptic Processing Training Program, as well as expanded offerings on process analytical technology, disposable manufacturing systems, rapid microbiology, moist heat sterilization, syringe filling and visual inspection.

"Several companies have supported PDA's endeavor of building an exceptional training facility for the pharmaceutical sciences," said Gail Sherman, Vice President of Education at PDA. We appreciate the donation of equipment and services from Vectech Pharmaceutical Consultants, Inc., Fedegari Autoclavi SPA, Amgen, Sartorius Stedim North America Inc., Veltek Associates, Inc., GE Healthcare, Groninger and Particle Measuring Systems."

About PDA
Connecting People, Science and Regulation

The Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) is a nonprofit international organization and a leading global provider of science, technology, and regulatory information and education for the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical community. PDA is committed to developing scientifically sound, practical technical information and resources to advance science and regulation through the expertise of its more than 10,000 members worldwide. More information about PDA is available at www.pda.org

SOURCE: The Parenteral Drug Association