The world's number one clinical technology organisation (CTO) ClinPhone has announced an exclusive new global partnership with invivodata, a leading provider of device-based eDiaries, to jointly offer electronic patient reported outcomes (ePRO) solutions.
The partnership will deliver "best-of-breed offerings" for the two most commonly used ePRO modalities-device-based and IVRS (interactive voice response systems) to biopharma companies, the firms said.
"The alliance brings customers a combination of support and expertise that surpasses anything currently offered in the marketplace in terms of helping them understand which modality would be best suited for their study".
Doug Engfer, founder, president and CEO of invivodata said: "Successful use of ePRO today requires an in-depth understanding of scientific and regulatory considerations, coupled with appropriate technology and complete global support services."
invivodata and ClinPhone have collaborated on and shared in many of the same efforts, organisations and events designed to promote sound ePRO research. This formal partnership strengthens this collaboration."
Steve Kent, CEO of ClinPhone added: "Usage of PRO and ePRO in clinical trials is increasing. By offering invivodata's device-based ePRO options to our customers, we can expand our ability to meet their broader ePRO needs. This partnership also means we are able to provide sponsors with additional balanced and science-based guidance in line with evolving regulatory considerations."
As part of the collaboration, ClinPhone also joins invivodata's PROPartner Program, which enables invivodata customers to utilise a roster of affiliate technology and service companies whose offerings have been identified as "best-in-class" in their respective market areas.
Menawhile, CRO Premier Research Group and eclinical provider Octagon Research Solutions have also heralded the formalisation of a partnership agreement to provide a broader eclinical solution set to customers.
and eclinical provider have also heralded the formalisation of a partnership agreement to provide a broader eclinical solution set to customers.
The firms said that the new partnership combines Octagon's expertise in electronic submissions with Premier's clinical exprience across a wide array of therapeutic areas.
As part of the alliance, Premier is now able to offer Octagon's electronic submission capabilities as part of its Regulatory Affairs services and likewise, Octagon is able to offer Premier's Regulatory development and scientific strategy.
James Ottinger, vice president of Global Consulting and Compliance for Premier said: "Our partnership with Octagon broadens our services by offering Octagon's proven expertise in the technical aspects of electronic submissions while we continue to focus on our core strengths of regulatory strategy and consulting."
"We believe that the collaboration will ultimately provide a strong product for our valued customers", added Jim Walker, chairman and CEO of Octagon.
In other eclinical news, etrials Worldwide has revealed that its automation tool development project is ahead of schedule, which will allow it to "streamline its operations, better ensure world-class service delivery capabilities, and better align itself with customer requirements".
etrials Worldwide said that the streamlining brings all aspects of client facing operations and product development into two new functional areas within the company: Technology and Service Delivery.
In line with the company changes, Chuck Piccirillo has been appointed vice president of Technology, a division that now consists of product development, application development, quality control/quality assurance and IT.
"This combination will improve speed and effectiveness with regards to the development and deployment of etrials' technology solutions," the firm explained.
In addition, Stuart Thiede has been given the role of vice president of Service Delivery, which encompasses all customer-facing operations including project management, global help desk, and CRO partnership service delivery.
"As we've previously reported, etrials has been undergoing a series of rigorous company-wide process improvement and re-engineering initiatives designed to improve customer service, streamline internal processes, and at the same time reduce costs," said Chip Jennings, president and CEO of the company.
"In order to take full advantage of our reengineering efforts, we have accelerated our planned organisational realignment strategy timeline, which we expect to result in modest cost savings in the second half of 2008."
