Sherpa Clinical Packaging Completes New Production Facility

SAN DIEGO, July 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sherpa Clinical Packaging, a privately held provider of Clinical Trial Material management services, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony today to mark the opening of its newly constructed state-of-the-art, CGMP production facility in San Diego, CA.  Sherpa's employees and invited guests celebrated the commissioning of its new facility co-located adjacent to the Althea Technologies campus in Sorrento Valley.  As previously announced in March, Sherpa and Althea have entered into a co-marketing agreement.

Sherpa's new facility includes five controlled access and monitored packaging suites, and walk-in 2-8 degrees C and -20 degrees C storage areas.  Redundant refrigeration systems, alarms, and on site emergency backup generator power were specified to minimize potential risks associated with cold storage.  "We purpose-built the facility to accommodate the needs of pharmaceutical and biotech clients that require controlled environments for their clinical study materials," said Mark Paiz, President of Sherpa Clinical Packaging.  "The site offers companies conducting clinical studies an option to label, package, store, and distribute on the West Coast, which is particularly important for many biotechnology companies whose products require cold storage.  Through our relationship with Althea, our clients are able to simplify logistics and significantly reduce total product release time."

Sherpa is well positioned to address the rapidly expanding biotechnology market on the West Coast.  The company anticipates expanding its San Diego workforce in the coming months.

About Sherpa Clinical Packaging, LLC

Sherpa Clinical Packaging is a privately held firm specializing in providing Clinical Trial Material management services, including packaging, labeling, distribution and returns reconciliation for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, in-vitro diagnostics and dietary supplement companies.  Sherpa utilizes CGMP compliant systems and facilities to manage the packaging, labeling, cold chain management and logistics to support the clinical supplies needs of our clients of all sizes.  Sherpa Clinical Packaging is located in San Diego, CA.  For more information, visit www.sherpaclinical.com.

SOURCE Sherpa Clinical Packaging, LLC