Quintiles signs alliances with AstraZeneca and Eisai

Published: 3-Nov-2009

Quintiles forms clinical pharmacology alliance with AstraZeneca and oncology deal with Eisai


US-based biopharmaceutical services company Quintiles has formed a clinical pharmacology alliance with AstraZeneca and an oncology product development deal with Eisai of Japan.

In the first agreement, Quintiles will assume the operational responsibility for delivering the majority of AstraZeneca's clinical pharmacology needs as a sole provider.

The alliance, which includes a simple, standardised pricing model, will include the clinical conduct and medical oversight of clinical pharmacology studies, covering a range of activities across the end-to-end study process, said Quintiles.

"This model gives us access to the right scientific and medical expertise plus the quality, flexibility and capacity we need to work efficiently and cost-effectively to deliver these studies," said Anders Ekblom, executive vp for global drug development at AstraZeneca.

The alliance with Eisai of Tokyo is for the development of six cancer products in Eisai's r&d pipeline.

Under the terms of the agreement, Quintiles will conduct Phase II proof-of-concept studies for 11 solid tumour indications.

Quintiles will partly fund the design and conduct of the clinical studies in exchange for success milestone payments. Other financial terms were not disclosed.

"Quintiles and Eisai are using the power of partnerships to manage risk and enable transformation in a rapidly evolving industry where the rules are changing on all fronts," said Ron Wooten, executive vp, Quintiles Corporate Development.

The aim of both alliances is to support AstraZeneca's wish to shorten delivery timelines and bring innovative medicines more quickly to patients.

You may also like