Innovaderm Research, Target Health, Qualia Clinical Service, and Quintiles – Clinical contract news

Innovaderm Research​ has been picked by Welichem Biotech​ to run the Phase I clinical trial of the firm's anti-psoriasis drug candidate. Under the terms of the deal, where financial details were not disclosed, Innovaderm is responsible for the strict protocols, data gathering, and patient monitoring necessary to comply with applicable standards and procedures. Welichem's clinical trial of its topical cream drug candidate, WBI-1001, is being conducted in Montreal, Canada through six separate groups, each involving six patients, with the first cohort expected to be under treatment by the end of the week. Another contract research organisation (CRO) Target Health​ has secured a deal this week to support arGentis Pharmaceuticals​ with its forthcoming clinical trials. arGentis licensed two transdermal therapies for the treatment of dry eye syndrome (DES) last year and plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on both products in the fourth quarter of 2007. New York City-based Target Health will assist in this filing and provide all regulatory and quality deliverables throughout the clinical trial process, the company said. Meanwhile, Holmes Biopharma​ has announced its clinical research subsidiary Qualia Clinical Service​ has now established a Phase I clinic in Kiev, Ukraine, which gives the company a presence in both North America - the company currently has clinical sites in Nebraska and Canada - and Europe. In other news, Quintiles​ said it plans to spend around $60m to expand its headquarters in North Carolina's Research Triangle Park and create around 1,000 jobs. The construction of the new added building is expected to start by the end of the year to be completed by the end of 2008.