Contract clinical research services company ClinTec International today announces that it is to locate its new global corporate headquarters in Glasgow, creating up to 240 new jobs over the next three years.

ClinTec International already has operations in all key and emerging clinical research markets globally, and the new headquarters will add additional strength and skilled talent to support the company's ambitious growth plans in a market currently worth an estimated $14 billion per year.

ClinTec International provides specialist clinical consultancy to national and global pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The company develops and implements the clinical trials of drugs designed to tackle some of most acute diseases in the world today. 

The new headquarters will be the company's base for its world wide human resources, finance, IT, marketing, legal, corporate development, and sales functions as well as housing a team of clinical professionals who will manage the implementation of global clinical trials.

Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, Jim Mather, welcomed the announcement: "This is great news for Glasgow and a tribute to Scotland's strengths in life sciences. Our new economic strategy means that Scotland's public sector is better able than ever to support our aim of increased sustainable growth.
 
"We are creating the kind of supportive business environment that I believe will see many more companies follow ClinTec's example in locating its global HQ here in Scotland.  And we are building on our clear strengths in life sciences such as our strong cohesive academic base, the quality of our research,  our health records and our skilled motivated people, all of which ClinTec and many more global companies clearly recognise and value."

The new project is being supported by a Regional Selective Assistance Grant of £1,343,000.

Dr Rabinder Buttar, President and Founder of ClinTec said: "We have reached an important milestone in the 10 years of our organisation and I am pleased that our Scottish operations will play a central role as we develop into a major global player in contract clinical research. From the key universities and research institutes in Scotland we will recruit, train and develop a highly skilled talent pool to work on our global initiatives meeting the high standards expected by us and our clients in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry."

Lena Wilson, Chief Operating Officer of Scottish Enterprise, said; "ClinTec's new project is very important for the life sciences sector in Scotland as it will enhance Scotland's growing international reputation in attracting successful and ambitious international contract research organisations.

"The market for contract research organisations has been expanding over the last decade as pharmaceutical and biotech companies look to mitigate risk in their development programmes and industry analysts expect this market to grow to $20 billion in value by 2010."