The PPD clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, plans to expand its laboratory operations in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The $59 million project is expected to create 200 jobs over the next five years.

The 71,600-square-foot facility will grow to 114,000-square-feet and be completed in stages by the end of 2024. The current location employs roughly 650 Ph.D.-level scientists, analytical laboratory staff and other scientific and support professionals.

“The expansion of our world-class lab in Highland Heights is a key component of our global strategy to provide our customers high-quality central lab and biomarker services to advance their clinical research programs,” said David M. Johnston, Ph.D., senior vice president and president, clinical research, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “We are thankful our expansion has been welcomed and supported by state and local government leaders, as we continue to hire talented new colleagues to join us and help our customers deliver new therapies for patients.”

The facility, which includes central lab and biomarker operations, provides biopharma customers with high-quality laboratory services to accelerate drug development, according to company officials. Much of the expansion involves adding to the business’ sample management and testing capacity to support new therapeutics, including vaccines and cell and gene therapy products.

“Thermo Fisher’s expanding footprint and the accompanying creation of more than 200 total jobs is a major win for Kentucky. We are pleased to extend our partnership with this world-class organization and look forward to seeing many more years of successful operations in our state, noted Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.” PPD clinical development and analytical services enable customers to accelerate innovation and increase drug development productivity. Utilizing patient-centered strategies and data analytics, the company’s capabilities cover multiple therapeutic areas and include early development, all phases of clinical development, peri- and post-approval, novel approaches to patient recruitment and investigator sites, and comprehensive laboratory services.

“The Tri-ED team worked diligently over the last two years with the PPD clinical research business, the City of Highland Heights, Campbell County, and the Cabinet for Economic Development to win this expansion and retain the business and hundreds of jobs in Northern Kentucky,” added Lee Crume, president and CEO of Northern Kentucky Tri-ED. “This is a huge win for the Cincinnati region life sciences companies such as Thermo Fisher are important stakeholders in our region and employment in this sector is projected to grow by 30% in Northern Kentucky by 2025.”

Thermo Fisher’s growth in Kentucky builds on the state’s thriving health care-related business sector, which includes 230 facilities employing 36,000 people. Administration-to-date, the sector has contributed to nearly 50 new-location or expansion announcements totaling nearly $500 million and more than 2,900 full-time jobs for Kentuckians.