This month, Ei, A Pharmaceutical Solutionwork, begins moving a 24-person research and development team, which includes three PhDs and nine master-level scientists, into a 10,000-square-foot laboratory with office space on the third floor of the David H. Murdock Core Laboratory Building on the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis.

Ei’s research and development team is currently housed on Cannon Boulevard in Kannapolis in the company’s 140,000-square-foot semi-solids manufacturing facility. The move to the NCRC allows the company to enhance its scientific foundation for dermatological product development and add a significant skin biology research capability. The NCRC also offers a concentration of scientific expertise on the health benefits of antioxidants and other bioactive compounds found in fruits and vegetables. These naturally occurring compounds are regularly incorporated into skin care products.

Ei, a subsidiary of Product Quest Manufacturing, specializes in the development and manufacturing of therapeutic, over-the-counter and prescription skin care products for leading pharma and consumer goods companies. Ei also partners with customers to develop Abbreviated New Drug Applications for generic drugs.

Ei’s Chief Scientific Officer Charles W. Gray, Jr., PhD, commented: “By offering best-in-class facilities, advanced scientific capabilities at the David H. Murdock Research Institute and significant opportunities for collaboration with other research centers on campus, the N.C. Research Campus will significantly accelerate our progress toward creating premier dermatology development capabilities and providing our customers with a robust turnkey service from early development through commercial manufacturing,”

John Regan, CEO of Product Quest and Ei, added: “R&D represents a key area of investment for the growth of our company. We are excited to partner with the N.C. Research Campus to bring additional capabilities to our customers.”

Campus scientists will also benefit from the opportunity to collaborate with Ei.

“Ei adds a critical product formulation and development component to the campus,” said Mark Spitzer, vice president of operations for Castle & Cooke North Carolina, the developer of the NCRC. “By partnering with companies like Ei, the research coming out of our laboratories will be accessible to more people, improving opportunities for healthy living and even having the potential to benefit the agriculture sector of our state.”

Ei’s move to the NCRC will occur over a four month period so that the company’s ongoing projects are not interrupted. The company plans to hire additional research and development scientists within the next year.