Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is investing $97 million to expand its clinical research operations in Richmond, Virginia, US. The facilities, which include laboratory operations acquired with the purchase of PPD, Inc. in December 2021, will support increasing demand across biopharma for consistent, high-quality laboratory services to accelerate drug development.

Over the next three years, Thermo Fisher expects to add nearly 150,000 square feet and more than 500 new employees in Richmond. The existing laboratory services operation in Richmond comprises more than 300,000 square feet, making it one of the largest laboratories of its kind in the world, and it employs more than 1,200 professionals, including Ph.D.-level scientists, analytical laboratory staff and other scientific professionals.

The bulk of the expansion will occur in immunochemistry and chromatography functions, as well as subsequent enhancements in biomarker and vaccine sciences.