Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. (PPD)

Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD) is a global contract research organization (CRO) providing comprehensive, integrated drug development, laboratory, and lifecycle management services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, academic, and government clients worldwide. Founded in 1985 by Fred Eshelman in Maryland and relocated to Wilmington, North Carolina, PPD grew to over 27,000 employees across more than 20 therapeutic areas before being acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific in December 2021 in an all-cash transaction valued at $17.4 billion. The company operates laboratory services divisions — including bioanalytical, central lab, GMP, and vaccine sciences labs — alongside Phase II–IV clinical trial management and real-world evidence solutions. As a Thermo Fisher subsidiary, PPD continues to operate under its own brand at ppd.com.