By Ann Marie DiSerafino
Special to the North Carolina Biotechnology Center
Metrics Inc., based in Greenville, is one of the fastest-growing contract pharmaceutical development laboratories in the United States, and now it has plenty of room to grow. The company recently completed an $18 million expansion – a major increase both in size of facility and operations.
Metrics provides pharmaceutical formulation, clinical trial material (Phase I, II and III) and commercial manufacturing, and analytical development/validation services to the pharmaceutical industry.
The company, founded in 1994, previously concentrated on early development through Phase II clinical trial services for its clients.
"We can now do the full gamut," said Jeff Basham, vice president, marketing and sales, explaining that the expansion enables them to move farther into Phase III trial and manufacturing services.
Expansion Blueprint
The 47,000-square-foot facility addition includes four main areas: new analytical labs, larger scale manufacturing (Phase III to commercial) space, stability storage, and a microbiology laboratory.
Four new analytical labs were completed in February, including a dedicated cytotoxic and potent compound laboratory. Approximately 40 percent of new chemical entities currently in development in the United States are potent or toxic compounds.
According to Basham, experts in the pharmaceutical industry expect this to grow to 60 percent in the next three to five years, primarily due to the focus on cancer and immunologic therapies.
The new labs increase Metrics’ analytical space by 25 percent. Basham explained, "When you are doing formulation development projects, over half the work is analytical chemistry rather than formulation chemistry. We’ve expanded our analytical capability by 40 to 50 percent to support large operations."
Metrics additional manufacturing space doubles what it can offer in development and manufacturing for Phase III trials. The company can now produce up to one billion tablets a year.
In April, Metrics completed their new stability storage area offering environmental specialties (ESI) chambers with redundant mechanical systems that maintain proper environmental conditions, even if an electrical failure occurs.
The expansion increases Metrics’ microbiology laboratory space five fold. It will now offer antibiotic assay and sterility testing, in addition to bacterial endotoxin and particulate matter testing on parenterals.
"Seeing this facility expansion emerge from a dream into reality is an exciting moment for everyone at Metrics," said Phil Hodges, president. "I am grateful for the hard work, patience and perseverance our employees and partners have demonstrated throughout this effort."
Local Economic Impact
In addition to growth in square footage, Metrics’ staff is projected to increase significantly. Basham said that the company expects to add 50 pharmaceutical scientists and technicians to its current staff of 225. Metrics’ salaries are roughly twice the average for Pitt County which has historically been dependent on lower–salary agricultural and manufacturing jobs.
The company’s recent expansion also means that since late 1999, Metrics has invested more than $35 million in property, plant and equipment in the Greenville area. It has grown at a rate exceeding 20 percent annually since it was founded in 1994.
These contributions have led to local awards and honors for the company. In March, the Pitt County Development Commission named Metrics its “Industry of the Year.”
Also for the second straight year, Metrics was named a “Business Champion” by Business Leader magazine and Wake Technical Community College. Business Champions is an annual awards program that honors Triangle–region companies that offer comprehensive workplace education and development efforts for their employees.
More information on Metrics, visit the Web site.