PPD's Beijing, China-based drug discovery company, BioDuro, has entered a three-year research agreement with a Dow Chemical Company subsidiary. It will collaborate with Dow AgroSciences, based in Indianapolis, to generate novel molecules for synthesizing and testing fungicides, insecticides and herbicides across a variety of crops.

Dow AgroSciences, which develops crop protection and plant biotechnology solutions, reported $5.7 billion in annual global sales.

PPD acquired BioDuro in 2009. It provides pre-clinical research and development services to biopharmaceutical clients, ranging from medicinal chemistry, discovery biology and pharmacology.

“This collaboration demonstrates BioDuro’s commitment and flexibility in delivering discovery research services beyond the pharmaceutical industry. Combining our strong discovery expertise and first-class technologies with the premier scientists at Dow AgroSciences will accelerate discovery and development of novel molecules and advance research for the agrochemical industry,” said Lee Babiss, executive vice president of global laboratory services for PPD in a press release.