NEWTOWN, Pa.—BioClinica Inc., a global provider of clinical trial management services, announced in early March that it has forged strategic partnerships with two clinical research organizations (CROs), Health Sciences International Inc., and PRL Central Laboratory Services. Both alliances strengthen the BioClinica Certified Partner Program, comprising a group of VIP CRO partners chosen based on therapeutic expertise and customer satisfaction, says Mark Weinstein, CEO of BioClinica.
Although BioClinica values all of its dozens of CRO partnerships worldwide, Weinstein notes that "our newest partners demonstrate the quality and continued growth of the BioClinica Certified Partner Program. To date, our certified partners represent a collective experience of more than 700 trials in more than 6,000 sites across 52 countries. This program is one more way that BioClinica provides best-in-class resources for customers."
The Certified Partner Program got its start in April 2009, notes Peter Benton, executive vice president of BioClinica and president of its eClinical Division, and he says BioClinica has added a new partner every other month, on average, since that launch. There is no specific goal for that program in terms of numbers, as Benton says, "We're not focused on how many certified partners we have. What's really important to us is figuring out how we can add more value for our clients. We don't have a sales force dedicated to this effort; it's more about recognizing who has a special fit with our goals and the needs of our clients."
Benton notes that when it comes to the Certified Partner Program—or even the more standard partnerships—some of the best candidates with which BioClinica likes to team up are those that are smaller or niche players.
"We certainly handle from the largest pharma companies to the smallest and most virtual, but when you get into the small- and medium-sized market, those clients are looking for CROs who are smaller, more nimble and are more flexible technology and service providers," Benton says.
Both of these newest partners fit that theme, he says.
Northern Connecticut-based Health Sciences International focuses on Phase I-IV trial research, with some of its key therapeutic areas of focus being cardiology, vascular disorders, central nervous system issues and endocrinology. The organization has participated in more than 100 clinical trials, offering clients consulting services that include research and development expertise, statistical analysis plan development, project and data management, quality enforcement and team building.
Overland Park, Kansas-based PRL Central Laboratory Services specializes in comprehensive diagnostic testing, focusing on protocol requirements. PRL notes that it serves "all phases of clinical research on a global basis, providing each client with accurate study set-up, timely results delivery and validated data management."
For its part, BioClinica supports pharmaceutical and medical device innovation with offerings in imaging core lab, Internet image transport, electronic data capture, interactive voice and Web response, and clinical supply chain design and optimization. BioClinica services maximize efficiency and manageability throughout all phases of the clinical trial process. BioClinica has more than 20 years of experience and more than 2,000 successful trials under its belt, having supported the clinical development of new medicines from early-phase trials through final approval. BioClinica operates imaging core labs on two continents and supports worldwide e-clinical and data management services from offices in the United States, Europe and Asia.
Benton says that BioClinica is very skilled in forming partnerships, having even partnered successfully with some companies that do the same work BioClinica does, and not just partners who complement its skill sets.
"We're pretty sizable, but the more pieces we can put in place and the more ways we can reach out, the better we serve the markets, which is good business and customer service sense," he notes. "But we make good choices above all, and make sure each partner gets what it needs even as we do. When you partner at times with potential direct competitors, you have to be fair and clear about the rules up front, and I'm proud to say that even though there have been a couple times potential conflicts came up, we've always been able to work things out to mutual benefit with us and our partners."
