NEWBURYPORT, MA--(Marketwired - Apr 22, 2014) -  PCI Synthesis, a Boston-based Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO) that manufacturers new chemical entities (NCEs), generic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and complex specialty chemicals, is one of key sponsors of the third annual Massachusetts CRO/CMO Symposium. The event, expected to bring a record number of exhibitors and attendees, will be held May 5 from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Burlington Marriott, One Burlington Mall Road, Burlington, Mass.

Edward S. Price, CEO, PCI Synthesis and co-chair of the MassBio CRO/CMO cluster, said, "The biotech and life sciences industries have grown in importance to the Boston area over the past three years and play a national role in drug discovery and development. With GDUFA and other changing regulations, it is more important than ever we keep the dialog going around drug development. The CRO/CMO Symposium provides the premiere opportunity to do so."

According to Brad Carver, CEO of SynDevRx, a Cambridge-based biotech company developing new and effective treatments for metabolic-related diseases and cancer, "The CRO/CMO Symposium has become the must-attend event each spring for the region's biotech and life sciences community. It is an efficient and cost-effective way for people developing products for the life sciences to learn about the services that are available locally and to meet companies with the expertise to help them advance their projects."

Case presentations, interactive panel discussions, and exhibits by more than 45 local technical service providers take place for an estimated crowd of 300+. Sixteen roundtable discussions will cover topics such as:

• The benefits of strong relationships between technology transfer offices and CROS
• The value of biomarker development and how it is viewed by the FDA
• How the FDA views the management of missing data
• Challenges and suggestions for recruitment in rare and orphan clinical trials.

Back by popular demand, the symposium will feature a "Fireside Chat" on the topic of "Simplifying the Drug Development Journey From Research to Treatment." Chat speakers include:  

• Emily Hickey, DVM, Ph.D., Corporate Vice President, In Vivo Discovery Research Services Charles River Laboratories
• Mark Goldberg, President and Chief Operating Officer, PAREXEL International Corp.
• And facilitator John Reddington, DVM, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer, Cambridge Biomedical.

For more information about the symposium, a detailed agenda, a speaker list and registration information, please visit: http://www.massbio.org/events/calendar/2303-massachusetts_cro_cmo_symposium/event_detail.

About PCI Synthesis
PCI Synthesis is a 15-year-old custom chemical manufacturer of new chemical entities (NCEs), generic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and other specialty chemical products. A contract manufacturing organization (CMO), PCI provides small and mid-sized companies with expertise needed to manufacture complex small molecules to be used in both the branded and generic market. To learn more about PCI Synthesis, its proprietary APIs, and R&D, please visit www.pcisynthesis.com.