Raleigh, N.C.-based PRA International, a CRO, has opened a new office in Milan, Italy. PRA has operated in Italy since 2003 with home-based PRA staff.

 During the past three years, PRA has participated in more than 80 studies spanning 13 therapeutic areas in Italy.

 “We are pleased to continue our global expansion with the opening of the Milan office," noted Ludger Langer, PRA’s vice president, Clinical Operations-Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa. “This opening, along with PRA's other expansions around the world, is helping us to meet the increased needs and demands of our customers. The Milan facility provides additional infrastructure for our existing staff in Italy and enables future staff expansion dictated by customer needs.”

Lucia Dolfi, director of Clinical Operations, heads the PRA Milan office and oversees 30 clinical operations staff. The Milan office has geographic responsibility for the area in the southern part of Switzerland and throughout all of Italy and Malta.