Avoca CenterWatch Insider Insights Article

Breaking News and
Market Intelligence for
March 26, 2012 the Clinical Trials Industry

Abbott names new research-based
A CenterWatch Publication
company AbbVie…2

Canadian government renews partnership with
Rx&D to boost nation’s clinical trial industry…3
inVentiv to acquire Kforce Clinical Research,
The Pulse on Latin America…6
adding more FSP depth to its staffing services

i
Drug & Device Pipeline News…7
nVentiv Health is about to surge more But the addition of Kforce Clinical gives the CenterWatch has identified 18 drugs
deeply into the functional service pro- company even more depth and flexibility and devices that have entered a new
vider (FSP) space. in that realm, said Gregg Dearhammer, trial phase this week.
Last week the CRO announced it was president of FSP/Staffing for inVentiv, and
buying Kforce Clinical Research, the clini- formerly president and CEO of i3 Statprobe Trial Results…8
CenterWatch reports on results for
cally focused arm of publicly traded, Tampa, before inVentiv bought i3.
four drugs. Visit www.centerwatch.com
Fla.-based staffing firm Kforce, which in the “We believe that now, with the Kforce ad- for real-time updates on drugs in
last few years has grown its clinical staffing dition, we have an interesting offering that clinical trials.
division into a robust FSP offering. not many can match,” said Dearhammer.
inVentiv is paying $50 million for Kforce “We can now offer short-term staffing and Biotech Review…9
Clinical. The deal is expected to close by the complex FSP help all under the same roof so Biotech briefs from BioWorld Today.
end of the month. that when sponsors’ staffing needs shift and
CWMarketPlace…10
inVentiv—which started out primarily as change, they don’t have to go elsewhere for Industry service provider profiles.
a staffing, sales and communications firm help. We can offer flexibility if they change
serving pharma companies, but then grew their minds.” CenterWatch Information Services
exponentially last year with its purchase of Neal McCarthy, managing director of
The CenterWatch Monthly
i3 and Pharmanet—already has a leader- investment firm Fairmount Partners and a A monthly newsletter featuring in-depth stories
ship position in the staffing and FSP space. page 4 » on the clinical trials industry and grant opportunities.
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S
Clinical Trials Listing Service™
trategic partnership agreements The results of Avoca’s annual State of Clin- www.centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings
An international listing service of actively enrolling
between sponsors and CROs have ical Outsourcing Industry Survey, just released
clinical trials to support sponsors and CROs in their
been all the rage over the last year or this month, showed a whopping 22% of patient enrollment initiatives.
so. But are they working out well? the 244 respondents (147 sponsors and 97
Market Research Services
While the curtain has been largely drawn clinical service providers) had discontinued Custom surveys for organizations to gain competitive
on that, except for the occasional comment a strategic partnership agreement—and not insight into the market and their business. Contact Steve
Zisson, (617) 948-5142, stephen.zisson@centerwatch.com.
from a CRO or sponsor, the industry now has because a sponsor decided to go from, say,
Drugs in Clinical Trials Database
its first real look. Research and consulting four partners down to two. Rather, quality
A searchable database of 4,000+ detailed profiles of new
firm The Avoca Group surveyed sponsors was the issue. Poor quality and performance drugs in development in hundreds of disease conditions
and CROs about their interactions in the out- was cited by 85% of those who said they worldwide. Request a 5-day trial. Contact Sales,
(617) 948-5100, sales@centerwatch.com.
sourcing space, and in doing so asked some had severed a strategic partnership agree-
CenterWatch Publications
very provocative questions about strategic ment. CenterWatch publishes a wide range of CME-accredited
partnership agreements. To Patricia Leuchten, CEO of The Avoca training guides, directories, brochures and drug intelligence
information. Visit http://store.centerwatch.com.
Perhaps the most revealing: Have you Group, this came as a shock. “Companies
ever discontinued one? page 5 » CenterWatch Main and Editorial Offices
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Volume 16, Issue 12. Copyright © 2012 by CenterWatch. All rights reserved. editorial@centerwatch.com

CWWeekly March 26, 2012 2 of 10
Industry Briefs

Sponsors including custom quantitative research and ■■ The Trudeau Institute, a Saranac Lake,
analytics; qualitative research; key opinion N.Y.-based research center, has expanded the
■■ Abbott has dubbed its new, independent leader identification and mapping; message scope of its biomedical research by creat-
research-based pharmaceutical company tracking, including Rapid Recall (SM) mes- ing a nonprofit CRO, the Trudeau Institute
AbbVie (pronounced Abb-vee), which it sage effectiveness studies; syndicated audits Contract Research Organization (TICRO).
will launch by the end of 2012. Abbott chose including the Metropolitan Area Promotion- The expansion is in response to the drug
the name as a combination of Abbott and al Audit, which tracks promotional activity industry’s increased reliance on CROs for
“vie,” which is a reference to the Latin root “vi” across 15 specialty therapeutic areas; and specialty research to reduce the costs and
meaning “life.”“The beginning of the name a range of SDI Health medical and promo- delays associated with the development of
connects the new company to Abbott and tional audits acquired from IMS Health. new vaccines and therapeutics. As experts in
its heritage of pioneering science. The ‘vie’ the immunological, biological and molecular
calls attention to the vital work the company ■■ CRO QED Clinical Services has created basis of infectious diseases and immune dis-
will continue to advance to improve the lives a wholly owned subsidiary, QED Clinical orders, Trudeau scientists will offer their ex-
of people around the world,” said Richard A. Services India Private Limited, in Ahmedabad, pertise and models through TICRO. The new
Gonzalez, executive vice president of global India, to enhance its global delivery of clinical CRO will provide project-specific expertise to
pharmaceuticals at Abbott. Gonzalez will trials. The subsidiary adds operational and biopharmaceutical companies and academic
head AbbVie as chairman and CEO. Last Oc- therapeutic expertise to QED, and expands its researchers, assist clients with the design
tober Abbott announced it would separate capacity and capability to offer more global and execution of efficient studies with
into two publicly traded companies, one in coverage. QED operations in India will be well-defined endpoints and help accelerate
diversified medical products and the other spearheaded by country head and director the drug development process. The Institute
in research-based pharmaceuticals. AbbVie, of operations Ali Saijad Bohra, who has led hopes to develop translational research part-
the research-based company, will include clinical monitoring, FSP models and project nerships with biotech and pharmaceutical
Abbott’s current portfolio of pharmaceuti- management across India, Southeast Asia, companies and help bring new therapeutics
cals and biologics. The diversified medical Japan, South Korea and Australia. “India and to patients safely and more efficiently.
products company, which will retain the the Asia Pacific region will continue to have
Abbott name, will consist of Abbott’s existing focus and will remain key markets for the R&D trends
diversified medical products portfolio. drug development activities for biopharma-
ceutical companies on account of a variety of ■■ The quality of dementia research in the U.K.
CROs/Service providers benefits,” said Bohra. In addition to conduct- is second only to the U.S., despite the low
ing trials in India, QED India will act as a hub number of scientists working in the field, and
■■ Campbell Alliance, an inVentiv Health for QED’s Asia Pacific operations for control finding a cure can be accelerated by increas-
company and management consulting firm, and oversight of its local partners across the ing the number of dementia researchers and
has launched Encuity Research, a market region. “The creation of QED Clinical, India investment, according to the Intellectual
research and analytics subsidiary. The means that we can better meet the global Property & Science business of Thomson
launch immediately follows the acquisition development needs of our sponsors by Reuters. The findings are featured in an
of SDI Health’s promotional and medical giving access to vast patient populations via Alzheimer’s U.K. research report titled Defeat-
audit businesses from IMS Health, which regional experts on the ground,” said CEO ing Dementia. The analysis revealed the U.K.
closed March 20. “The audit businesses Thomas Ogorka. page 3 »
acquired from IMS will be combined with
our existing market research and analytics CWWeekly (ISSN 1528-5731) © 2012 CenterWatch, LLC. All rights reserved.
service lines to create a business that will Cheryl Appel Rosenfeld Editor-in-Chief No part of this publication may be distributed or
Tracy Lawton Drug Intelligence reproduced in any form or by any means without the
drive accelerated growth for us in the mar- Melissa Nazzaro Advertising express written consent of the publisher. Permission
ket research segment,” said Nader Naeymi- Heather Johnston Advertising requests can be obtained via fax at (617) 948-5101 or
Holly Rose Production emailed at editorial@centerwatch.com.
Rad, CEO of Campbell Alliance. Encuity Single-user annual subscriptions are $249.
Research, to be based in Newton, Penn., Send news submissions to Cheryl Appel Rosenfeld Reprints and discounted multi-reader or corporate
Tel (617) 948-5172 Fax (617) 948-5101 subscription rates are available.
will provide services to the pharmaceutical cheryl.rosenfeld@centerwatch.com Email sales@centerwatch.com or call (617) 948-5100.
and biotech industry in five specific areas

Copyright © 2012. Duplication or sharing of this publication is strictly prohibited. CWW1612

Industry Briefs (continued from page 2)

published more research on dementia than Canada through a competitive, peer-reviewed worldwide chairman, pharmaceuticals
any other country except the U.S. and ranks process and improve the coordination of group, Johnson & Johnson.
second in the world after Sweden in citation research activities. Rx&D member companies
impact, the number of times U.K. research have set an objective to match CIHR clinical ■■ The Wellcome Trust’s board of governors
is referenced in dementia studies around research commitments dollar for dollar. has approved the creation of a new business
the globe. Despite its high performance that will invest in emerging businesses and
and influence, dementia research capacity ■■ Index Ventures, a venture capital firm, technologies in the healthcare and life sci-
in the U.K. is low when compared to cancer, has launched its first fund solely dedicated ences sectors. The business’ initial capital will
stroke and heart disease. For every dementia to investing in the life sciences sector. The be $317 million, drawn from the Wellcome
research scientist there are six who work fund, $198 million, includes investments Trust’s endowment. The business is currently
on cancer. The study was commissioned by from several of Index’s largest existing operating under the working title Project
the U.K.’s leading dementia research charity, limited partners and two companies, Sigma and will be a directly owned and
Alzheimer’s Research U.K., in an effort to GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and the venture managed business. It will provide financial
raise awareness and increase investment capital affiliate of the Janssen pharmaceu- resources to advance the Wellcome Trust’s
for the underfunded field. The report’s 14 tical companies of Johnson & Johnson. vision of achieving extraordinary improve-
recommendations to the U.K. government With this investment in the fund, the two ments in human and animal health by sup-
include forming a cohesive national strategy, global pharmaceutical companies will porting the brightest minds in biomedical
increasing social awareness of the need for share their expertise by participating in research and the medical humanities. “The
dementia research, simplifying funding and the fund’s scientific advisory board. Index Wellcome Trust is known as an investor that
reporting procedures, revising scientific ca- will maintain full decision making rights takes a long-term view. Sigma will extend
reer paths, strengthening research networks to the portfolio companies and the fund this successful approach to direct invest-
and streamlining the regulatory process. rules and procedures will follow previous ments in emerging healthcare technologies,
Index Ventures funds. This pharma/venture to give small and medium-sized companies
■■ Canada’s Research Based Pharmaceuti- partnership model is intended to stimulate the support they require to fulfill their
cal Companies (Rx&D) and the Canadian promising, early-stage R&D innovation. potential,” said Sir Mark Walport, director,
Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) have Index’s “asset centric” model focuses on Wellcome Trust. Sigma will also enable
renewed a partnership to strengthen clinical investment in companies with just one or Wellcome Trust to take and retain ownership
research conducted in Canada. The partner- two projects, rather than companies with positions in the companies. It will be able to
ship seeks to strengthen Canada’s position multiple programs. The fund will primar- contribute proactively to their development
as a preferred location to conduct clinical ily consider opportunities across Europe, over the long term, for example by bringing
research. The partnership will play a key role but also in the U.S., with assets that have together complementary expertise from
in the implementation of the Strategy for first-in-class or best-in-class mechanisms of different companies and scientific fields.
Patient-Oriented Research, a national initiative action and target areas of unmet medical Although Sigma has the primary goal of
to ensure better translation of research find- need. “We believe that supporting and generating returns for the Wellcome Trust,
ings into clinical practice that was announced nurturing start-ups and encouraging entre- its investments will also provide emerging
in August 2011. CIHR and Rx&D member preneurship and innovation will be good businesses with a valuable new source of
companies will fund clinical research across for the entire industry,” said Dr. Paul Stoffels, funding and guidance.


Features (continued from page 1)

Kforce Dearhammer said the model is still going
close watcher of the space, said the combina- “It really is an interesting time, strong. Of the top 20 sponsors, 80% to 90%
tion of the Smith Hanley and MedFocus brand currently use the FSP model for one or more
and I think that flexibility and
names—which inVentiv started out with— functions, he said.
Pharmanet’s staffing group, i3’s meaningful creativity is key right now.” Interestingly, there’s no uniformity in exact-
staffing arm and now Kforce Clinical makes ly which functions are outsourced, so it is hard
inVentiv a very big player in the space. —Gregg Dearhammer, president, to predict where the model may be going over
“The combination of the three, plus FSP/Staffing, inVentiv time, said Dearhammer. “Some companies will
Kforce should put them well over $300 use it for data management and not clinical,
million, and that is likely the largest clinical while others will use it for clinical and not data
staffing group, substantially ahead of RPS, redeploy Kforce employees working on that management,” he said. “It’s all over the place
which was a large staffing and functional contract to our other contracts.” and it depends on their culture, their history
outsourcing firm but is transitioning to a full- inVentiv would not say how many and the size of their portfolio.”
service CRO,” he said. employees the Kforce Clinical acquisition Thus, this is a good time to be the market
One downside of the acquisition, though, includes. leader, he said.
is that Kforce Clinical is losing one of its Kforce Clinical operates only domestically, “It really is an interesting time, and I think
biggest clients, though the companies and this was hindering it, said Dearhammer. that flexibility and creativity is key right now.”
would not divulge the client’s name. Kforce That’s one of the reasons its parent company inVentiv has 550 biotech, pharma and life
Clinical posted revenue of $106.2 million in sold. “It’s one of the strong reasons they’re sciences clients and 13,000 employees in 40
2011, but inVentiv said it’s expecting its new joining us,” he said. “They have customers countries. It’s privately owned by inVentiv
acquisition to have annualized revenue of that wanted them to expand into Europe, Group Holdings, an organization sponsored
about $70 million for this year. The contract but that was not in their strategic plan.” by affiliates of Thomas H. Lee Partners,
is winding down, but Kforce Clinical will And that’s an upside for inVentiv. “One of Liberty Lane Partners and members of the
work on it through 2012, said Dearhammer. the attractive parts of this is we can immedi- inVentiv management team.
And though the contract constituted half of ately go through their list of customers who Other large players in the staffing/FSP
Kforce Clinical’s revenue for 2011, Dearham- have been asking for services in Europe and space include Icon’s DOCs group, the Clin-
mer said inVentiv wasn’t put off. say, ‘Okay, we can do this for you now,’” said Force division of Cross Country, On Assign-
“We knew it; we went in with eyes wide Dearhammer. ment’s clinical staffing group and private
open,” he said. “But we know how that is; Though Pfizer recently eschewed the staffing companies including ASG (part of
we’re going through the same thing with FSP model—in which a sponsor outsources Ockham) and Aerotek/Maxim Healthcare.
a customer. And we know we can easily all work across a particular function— —Suz Redfearn

The long road to successful Call or visit our website today to see
how we can help you get a better return
clinical trials just got shorter. on your clinical trial investment.

Call 1.888.COVANCE
Here’s how Xcellerate™ can help www.covance.com/Xcellerate
guide you to success.
© Copyright 2012. Covance Inc. All rights reserved.


Features (continued from page 1)

Survey how long these things tend to take. Among
put a lot of time, energy and resources into “We have seen some them, 40% said process improvement can
establishing these partnerships,” she said. take between one and two years—though
companies struggle with
“When you choose a partner, the assumption about a quarter of this group said their
is that you’re in for the long haul, so they’re the implementation of the expectations in this area were never met. A
usually really savvy and careful about due overall strategy. Sometimes little more than half said if cost savings are
diligence.” their operational teams are to be achieved, it usually takes one year or
But sometimes, all that due diligence less—though almost 25% said cost savings
not clear on what it means to
doesn’t translate into seamless collaboration were never achieved. Just over half said
between multiple departments once the be in that particular strategic improved quality, if it were to be seen, would
partnership is in place, said Leuchten. “As partnership. There can be gaps be apparent in a year or less. And yet, 21% of
part of our consulting practice, we have seen those respondents said quality improvement
in communication, and the
some companies struggle with the imple- was never achieved.
mentation of the overall strategy. Sometimes change-management aspects The Avoca Group, said Leuchten, plans
their operational teams are not clear on have been difficult.” to keep an eye on the strategic partner-
what it means to be in that particular strate- ship agreement trend to see if the numbers
gic partnership. There can be gaps in com- —Patricia Leuchten, CEO, The Avoca Group improve.
munication, and the change-management Kicking off the strategic partnership
aspects have been difficult.” agreement trend back in 2008 was Eli Lilly’s
Many companies have strategic partner- But sponsors’ expectations are not always announcement it had inked large deals with
ship agreements in place but will not speak being met. With regard to cost savings, 16% Covance, Quintiles and i3 Statprobe. There
publicly about them. The Avoca survey shed said the partnerships were failing to meet was no noticeable partnership movement
light on that, too. Of 147 sponsors, 47% said their expectations, and 36% said their ex- among other companies for two years,
their company had at least one strategic pectations were being met only sometimes. but then in 2010 a flurry of public partner-
partnership in place (49% didn’t know). The sparing of internal resources showed ing began. Some of the larger deals have
Among those who said their company had even less success. Twenty-one percent said included Bristol-Myers Squibb choosing
such agreements, 58% said the company the partnerships were failing to meet their Parexel as its clinical development partner;
had two to three in place; 21% had one in expectations, and 33% said their expecta- GlaxoSmithKline selecting PPD and Parexel
place; 16% had four to six in place; and 2% tions were only sometimes being met. For for clinical development; Sanofi-Aventis
had six or more in place. operational/process improvement, 17% said choosing Covance for all of its drug develop-
When asked what their company’s main the partnerships were failing to meet their ment; and Pfizer selecting Parexel and Icon
objectives were in launching strategic expectations, and 40% said their expecta- for clinical development.
partnerships, the top five responses were: tions were only sometimes being met. Analysts and other industry observers say
reduced costs, improved quality, improved But are they expecting too much, too as the work of drug development shifts more
efficiency in use of internal staff, access soon? Maybe. Those who have had strategic and more to CROs, several more such agree-
to operational expertise and process partnerships in place for three years or more, ments will come.
improvement. and thus have the long view, were asked —Suz Redfearn

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from ®

http://www.ForteResearch.com/allegro


The Pulse on Latin America By Marlene Llópiz

T he consequence of the important role
the pharmaceutical industry has played
in the prevention, improvement and cure
of illnesses and diseases has been not only an
increase in life expectancy, but also an improve-
nomic growth of each country.
Pharmaceutical companies establish clear
and specific variables based on their objectives
and purposes in developing innovative drugs
and devices. Modern science and technology
and measure the safety of the drug more than
its efficacy. They also corroborate and assess the
effects on other organs and systems. Often, over
200 patients are involved, and the new molecule
is compared either to one already marketed
ment in the quality of life of humans worldwide. are used to search and select molecules as or to placebo. Questionnaires on quality of life
This is no different in Latin America, where candidates for future drugs, including genomics, and data on pharmacoeconomics also can be
pharmaceutical products and medical devices DNA splicing and bioinformatics for structuring used to contribute further knowledge on life
reach the region several years after being tested and innovating new molecules. expectancy rates and marketing forecasts. These
and marketed in other countries. Nonetheless, It is often said that of 10,000 new molecules, trials are complex and are conducted at many
they serve their purpose of preventing diseases after 15 years and $900 million invested, only sites, often lasting two to three years.
and curing common, as well as degenerative one drug reaches the market. Pre-clinical and Phase III trials measure efficacy more than
and quickly debilitating, ailments. clinical research have clearly demonstrated the the safety, while considering tolerability. Used to
The drug industry’s aims include selecting a efficacy and safety of the drug, first in the labo- register a drug at country regulatory agencies,
target population while analyzing the market ratory, then in animals and finally in humans. these studies are conducted at several sites in
needs for developing molecules, pinpointing In Latin America as well as in other nations several countries worldwide, often lasting three
a formula that can be used for several dis- globally, pre-clinical trials often are conducted to four years. Additional information on quality
eases and conducting research in areas such as in selected countries. Before being tested in of life and health economics often is gathered.
pharmagenomics for personalizing treatment to humans, a new molecule must be proven safe in The pharmaceutical industry has trans-
specific populations. Pharmaceutical companies several animal experimental models. This stage formed the way it views and focuses on
determine early on whether certain molecules lasts an average of two to three years, minimiz- therapeutic indications. Seventy years ago,
should continue into clinical trials. ing the risk of its exposure to humans. physicians and drug companies were concerned
Pharmaceutical research in Latin America The clinical portion includes several distinct with curing diseases involving parasites, diges-
moves forward concomitantly with a country’s stages. Phase I’s main objective is to assess the tive and respiratory tract infections. Between
technological and scientific development. Phar- drug’s effect on a target organ, determine the 1960 and 2000 transmitted diseases decreased,
maceutical medicine is aimed at preventing, exact dosage and corroborate the molecule’s while deaths involving different types of cancer,
treating and curing diseases, improving quality pharmacological properties. This phase includes accidents and violence increased. Today, we
of life and lengthening life expectancy. Huge toxicology, pharmacodynamic and pharmacoki- have options for treating heart disease, diabetes
corporations with offices in Mexico, Argentina netic studies that specify the absorption, distri- mellitus and malignant tumors.
and Brazil, for example, gather new knowledge bution, metabolism and excretion of a drug. The Latin America is a rich region for all clinical
favoring the development of innovative drugs volunteers generally are healthy and comprise trials, in which clinical research can grow and
and devices for countrywide and regional health 20 to 50 subjects. Usually they are conducted at expand while providing a new outlook for
improvement. Along the way, they strengthen a specialized center for carefully monitoring and healthcare and increased life expectancy.
the relationship with the local and national analyzing pharmacological results and can last
health authorities to expedite the availability of about six months to two years. Dr. Marlene Llópiz is president of AMEIFAC-Mexico
new medicines to consumers. This also improves Phase II trials aim at corroborating the for the 2011-13 term, secretary for IFAPP and CEO
the commercial sector, while favoring the eco- desired effect on the target organ or disease, of Clinica Responsable Operativa Mexicana, S.C.


Drug & Device Pipeline News

Company Drug/Device Medical Condition Status Sponsor Info
Alnylam ALN-TTR02 TTR-mediated Phase I trials initiated enrolling 32 (617) 551-8200
Pharmaceuticals amyloidosis subjects in the U.K. www.alnylam.com
Repligen RG2833 Friedreich’s ataxia Phase I trials initiated enrolling 20 (781) .250-0111
subjects in Turin, Italy www.repligen.com
Trillium Therapeutics TTI-1612 interstitial cystitis Phase I trials initiated enrolling 28 (416) 595-0627
women in Canada www.trilliumtherapeutics.com
Jennerex JX-594 colorectal cancer Phase I/II trials initiated enrolling (415) 281-8886
42 subjects internationally www.jennerex.com
Celgene pomalidomide systemic sclerosis, Phase II trials planned for 88 (908) 673-9000
interstitial lung disease subjects internationally www.celegene.com
GlaxoSmithKline belimumab kidney transplant Phase II trials planned for 20 (888) 825-5249
rejection subjects in the U.K. www.gsk.com
Convergence CNV1014802 trigeminal neuralgia Phase II trials initiated enrolling +44 (0)1223 755 501
Pharmaceuticals 30 subjects internationally www.convergencepharma.com
Mesoblast Mesenchymal chronic low back pain Phase II trials initiated enrolling (212) 880-2060
Precursor Cells 100 subjects in the U.S. www.mesoblast.com
Pfizer axitinib adenoid cystic carcinoma Phase II trials initiated enrolling (646) 888-4235
32 subjects in the U.S. www.pfizer.com
PROLOR Biotech hGH-CTP pediatrics with growth Phase II trials initiated across (866) 644-7811
hormone deficiency international sites www.prolorbiotech.com
SK Biopharmaceuticals YKP10811 chronic constipation Phase II trials initiated enrolling (201) 421-3842
100 subjects in the U.S. www.skbp.com
TOPICA luliconazole distal subungual Phase IIb/III trials planned (650) 209-3700
Pharmaceuticals onychomycosis enrolling 300 subjects in the U.S. www.topicapharma.com
Novo Nordisk liraglutide obesity/sleep apnea Phase III trials planned for 300 (609) 987-5800
subjects in North America www.novonordisk.com
PaxVax PXVX-0200 cholera vaccine Phase III trials planned in the U.S. (858) 450-9595
www.paxvax.com
Abbott adalimumab hidradenitis suppurativa Two phase III trials initiated (847) 937-6100
enrolling 600 subjects globally www.abbott.com
CSL Behring fibrinogen hemorrhage during Phase III trials initiated 200 (610) 878-4000
concentrate (human) aortic aneurysm surgery subjects internationally www.cslbehring.com
Lexicon telotristat etiprate carcinoid syndrome Orphan drug designation (281) 863-3000
Pharmaceuticals granted by the FDA www.lexgen.com
QLT Visudyne central serous Orphan drug designation (800) 663-5486
chorioretinopathy granted by the FDA www.qltinc.com

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Trial Results

Cardiovascular efficacy parameters showed improve- treatment with either PA32540 or 325mg
ment, with the low dose of PH-10 (0.002%) enteric-coated aspirin once daily. The pri-
■■ Xention issued results from a phase I providing uniformly consistent improve- mary endpoint, a significant reduction in
trial of XEN-D0103 for the treatment of ment, while reduced therapeutic activity the cumulative incidence of gastric ulcers
atrial fibrillation. This combined single- was observed at the two higher doses. following administration of PA32540 versus
and multiple-ascending oral dose study After 28 days of treatment with PH-10 (all 325mg enteric-coated aspirin over six
enrolled 30 healthy subjects in the U.K. The strengths), 23-29% of subjects achieved months, was met in both studies. Second-
study evaluated the safety and pharmaco- complete or nearly complete resolution ary endpoints were also reached, including
kinetics of various dosages of XEN-D0103. of all PSI components, compared to no a reduction in gastroduodenal ulceration
Treatment was well tolerated and dem- subjects in the placebo arm. In the low- and a reduction in discontinuation due
onstrated good pharmacokinetic proper- dose PH-10 arm, 38% of subjects reported to upper gastrointestinal adverse events.
ties. No significant adverse events were no itching after 28 days compared with POZEN plans to file for regulatory approval
reported. An analysis of electrocardiogram 14% of those receiving placebo. PH-10 at in the third quarter of 2012.
data collected from the first cohort of 30 0.002% and 0.005% exhibited maximum
healthy subjects indicated XEN-D0103 had improvement in Plaque Response Assess- Neurology
no effect on the QTcF interval. This absence ment, with the improvements for 0.002%
of any detectable effect on QTcF confirmed achieving high significance (p < 0.001) ■■ Addex Therapeutics issued results from
the atrial selectivity of XEN-D0103. Xention after two weeks of treatment; all strengths a phase IIa trial of dipraglurant for the
plans to move into phase II trials shortly. were superior to placebo after 28 days, treatment of Parkinson’s disease levodopa-
with the highest strength exhibiting the induced dyskinesia (PD-LID). This double-
Dermatology least activity. The company plans to move blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled 76
forward with development. subjects with moderate or severe PD-LID.
■■ Provectus reported results from a phase The subjects followed a dose-titration
IIc trial of PH-10 (Rose Bengal) for psoriasis. Gastroenterology regimen, receiving 50mg doses from day
This multicenter, randomized, controlled one to day 14 and then 100mg from day 14
study (PH-10-PS-23) enrolled 99 subjects ■■ POZEN released results from two phase III until day 28. Dipraglurant met the primary
with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis trials of PA32540, a coordinated-delivery objective of the study by exhibiting a good
who received placebo or PH-10 (0.01%, tablet of immediate-release omeprazole safety and tolerability profile. Dipraglurant
0.005% or 0.002%) applied once daily to and delayed-release aspirin, under devel- also demonstrated statistically significant
affected skin areas for 28 days. The primary opment for the secondary prevention of reduction in LID severity with both 50mg
efficacy endpoint was treatment success, cardiovascular disease in subjects at risk and 100mg doses. Efficacy was measured
assessed at day 29 after initial PH-10 treat- for aspirin-induced ulcers. The random- using the modified Abnormal Involuntary
ment. Success was defined as 0 or 1 on all ized, double-blind, multi-center studies Movement Scale (mAIMS). Peak mAIMS
Psoriasis Severity Index (PSI) components enrolled 1,049 subjects at risk for develop- was significantly reduced on Day 1 (50mg;
and 0 or 1 on the Plaque Response scale. ing aspirin-associated ulcers and already p = 0.042) and on Day 14 (100mg; p =
The Pruritus (itching) Self Assessment scale taking aspirin at 325mg once daily for at 0.038). Addex is seeking a partner to move
was also measured. Results for all three least three months. The subjects received development forward.

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Biotech Review

■■ The Senate is heading for a vote on the exclusivities for new and improved drugs, the pipelines more productive by enabling
Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act. report said. Or it could weigh in on patent researchers to better predict treatment
H.R. 3606, which recently passed the House term extensions and reforms. Those options outcomes, improve development and lead
390-23, would benefit emerging growth may involve tweaking the 1984 Hatch- to more specific and effective approaches.
companies by providing a five-year on-ramp Waxman Act that has helped speed generics
to the public market, raising the SEC’s Regula- to market and encouraged price-lowering ■■ Merck has helped launch a new non-
tion A cap to $50 million, increasing the SEC competition. The cost of developing a drug profit translational institute in San Diego,
registration shareholder threshold to 1,000 has doubled since the early 1980s, to more the California Institute for Biomedical
and opening the door to crowd funding. In than $1 billion, whereas new generics, which Research (Calibr), to accelerate translation
Senate debate Sen. Jack Reid (D-R.I.) offered get free access to the brand drug’s R&D of basic biomedical research into commer-
a substitute bill with more protections for under Hatch-Waxman, cost about $1 million cialized medicines. Merck will fund Calibr
investors. But industry groups including the to $2 million. Contributing to the high costs $90 million over seven years in exchange for
Biotechnology Industry Organization for a new drug is the increased expense of an option to exclusively license any protein
(BIO) are urging the Senate to pass the House conducting clinical trials. The number of trials or small-molecule candidates derived. Pete
bill as is. If the bill passes, small biotechs like necessary to file a new drug application has Schultz, director of Calibr and a professor of
Regulus Therapeutics of La Jolla, Calif., doubled in the past 30 years, and the number chemistry at the Scripps Research Institute,
could see immediate benefits. Regulus CEO of subjects needed in those trials has tripled, said Calibr would be a 501(c)(3) organiza-
Kleanthis Xanthopoulos said his company the CRS said. The success rate in bringing a tion and would form collaborations with
currently spends $1 million to $2 million each drug to market was 4% between 2005 and other nonprofits, leveraging translational
year to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley require- 2009. As a result of the increased costs and capabilities and expertise to advance early-
ments. When opportunity costs are added, risks, the rate of return on investment in a stage science to the clinical proof-of-concept
the cost of compliance accounts for up to new drug has dropped by 12% over the stage. Companies working with Calibr could
10% of Regulus’ total annual budget of $25 past three decades, according to the report. then form partnerships with Merck for clini-
million to $30 million. Prior to Hatch-Waxman, a drugmaker had no cal development. Calibr would be a place for
generic competition for an average of three pharma and academic scientists to meet as
■■ MediVector of Boston was awarded a $138.5 years after patent expiration, which meant equal partners. Calibr will offer facilities and
million contract from the Department of an extended time to generate funding for staff to support partner projects. Although
Defense’s Joint Project Manager Transfor- R&D, CRS said. Biopharma has developed a Merck will be first to license any therapeutics
mational Technologies (JPM-TMT) to further number of strategies, including mergers and that make it past proof-of-concept, partner
develop favipiravir (T-705), a broad-spectrum acquisitions, branded generics or biosimilars, companies could shop them elsewhere if
therapeutic against multiple influenza reformulations of the original brand product, Merck declines. Participation in Calibr will
viruses, including the 2009 H1N1 pandemic price increases or deals to lower the cost be granted to academic scientists based on
virus and drug-resistant strains. JPM-TMT said of the drug. However, other than delayed- proposals judged on novelty, biomedical
phase III trials could begin this fall. release formulations to delay generics, most impact and technical feasibility.
of those strategies won’t slow the patent
■■ As branded drugs with more than $117 drop-off or spur innovation, CRS found.
The stories included in Biotech Review
billion in U.S. sales fall off patent by 2016,
have been provided to CenterWatch with
Congress may need to maintain the proper ■■ The National Center for Advancing
full permission of BioWorld Today and its
balance of lower drug prices through ac- Translational Sciences (NCATS) is teaming
publisher, AHC Media LLC. Copyright
cess to generics and an environment that up with Eli Lilly to profile the effects of
©2012 AHC Media LLC.
encourages innovation. That may require thousands of approved and investigational
new or expanded incentives, a Congressional drugs. Over the next 12 to 18 months, Lilly
BioWorld is located at 3525 Piedmont
Research Service (CRS) report suggested, will use its Phenotypic Drug Discovery panel
Road, Building 6, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA
especially if the U.S. is to maintain its status as to screen NCATS’ 3,800 drugs to reveal novel
30305. U.S.A. Please call (800) 688-2421 or
a leader in biopharma innovation. Congress mechanisms or pathways of medicines. The
(404) 262-5476 for more information. Or
could explore ways to incentivize innova- goal of the profiles, which will be publicly
visit www.bioworld.com.
tion through changes to data or marketing available, is to make drug development


CWMarketPlace

CWMarketPlace is a monthly section featuring a range of clinical research service providers who have Industry Provider Profile Pages
posted on CenterWatch.com. Included in their annual subscriptions, company profiles are randomly selected to appear in this section, providing
added exposure for their products and services. To learn more about becoming an Industry Provider Profile Page subscriber, contact Sales at
(617) 948-5100 or sales@centerwatch.com.

Click on any provider to view the company’s complete online profile or click here to search more profiles.

COMMUNICATIONS LABORATORY SERVICES

Alliance Healthcare Information, LLC Imagepace
(215) 347-1100 (513) 366-3266
mgreenberg@alliancehealthinfo.com info@imagepace.com
www.alliancehealthinfo.com [ V I E W P R O FI LE ] www.imagepace.com [ VI E W P R OFI LE ]

CONTRACT RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS SITE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION (SMO)

Accelovance Remington-Davis Clinical Research
(240) 238-4900 (614) 487-2560
info@accelovance.com info@remdavis.com
www.accelovance.com [ V I E W P R O FI LE ] www.remdavis.com [ VI E W P R OFI LE ]

INVESTIGATIVE SITE NET WORKS (NON SMO) STAFFING COMPANY/EXECUTIVE SEARCH

Elite Research Network, LLC Kelly Services, Inc.
(843) 849-7382 (877) 269-5401
choyle@eliteresearchnetwork.com vancedl@kellyservices.com
www.eliteresearchnetwork.com [ V I E W P R O FI LE ] www.kellyscientific.com [ VI E W P R OFI LE ]

Summit Research Network Management, Inc Med Exec International
(503) 972-9818 (818) 247-1368
jhockley@summitnetwork.com rchristopher@meirxrs.com
www.summitnetwork.com [ V I E W P R O FI LE ] www.meirxrs.com [ VI E W P R OFI LE ]

INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB) TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

IRB Services DDOTS, Inc.
(905) 727-7989 ext. 257 (734) 434-7734
scorman@irbservices.com stephen.burke@ddots.com
www.irbservices.com/irbservices/Home.html [ V I E W P R O FI LE ] www.ddots.com [ VI E W P R OFI LE ]


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