Hiring Now: Dow Development Laboratories Takes More Space in the Bay Area

September 7, 2017
By Alex Keown, BioSpace.com Breaking News Staff

SAN FRANCISCO – Since moving to the Bay Area in 2014, Dow Development Laboratories has doubled in size of its topical products facility and is now looking at even greater growth. The company is expanding its footprint and is hiring additional staff.

The North Bay Business Journal reported that Dow, a division of Symbio LLC, a clinical research organization, will continue its expansion in Petaluma and is currently recruiting for positions in its formulations, analytical and project management departments.

Dow Development Laboratories is a contract drug manufacturer. The company got its start as the research and development arm of New York-based Symbio in 2005 in Fort Collins, Colo. Now the company has expanded beyond its roots. In 2014, Dow Development took over a 13,000 square-foot facility in Petaluma. Now though the company has acquired 11,053 more square feet as it continues to grow. The company now has approximately 22,700 square feet of space in Petaluma, the Journal said.

Debra Dow, president of Dow Development Laboratories and a co-founder of Symbio, told the Journal that the recent growth has been propelled by “business success in product development.” Dow said growth has been fueled by the ability of contracting companies to find additional financing “to move new products forward.”

“Our clients range from startups to large multinational companies,” Dow told the Journal. “The expanded Petaluma facilities will allow us the space for additional equipment and staff so that DDL can provide additional services.”

According to the company website, DDL conducts “clinical studies in dermatology and other indications for pharmaceutical, generic and device companies.” The Journal noted that in particular the company has expertise in the manufacture of topical creams and ointments for treating acne, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. DDL is also experience in developing topical treatments for pain and women’s health issues, the Journal said.

Dow told the Journal that the Bay Area was selected in part due to the high quality of life the area provides to employees. She pointed to ease of commute from multiple communities surrounding Petaluma, as well as to the aesthetics of the wine-country of Northern California.

Parent company Symbio was founded in 2002 and is capable of providing clients with Phase I to Phase IV clinical studies. Like DDL, Symbio has a strong focus on dermatological treatments. Additionally, the company provides clients with services in the areas of ophthalmology, such as allergic conjunctivitis, women’s health, such as vaginal atropy, anti-infectives and treating wounds.