PRA's US Clinical Pharmacology Center will add analytical lab testing to its Phase I - IV clinical trial services in the US as a result of an agreement with Frontage Laboratories.
PRA's 80-bed Lenexa clinical facility near Kansas City, Missouri, runs Phase I and Phase IIa studies with a focus on human studies and other complex PK studies.
The agreement with Frontage means PRA can now align clinical and laboratory processes, saving time by avoiding unnecessary clinical trial delays.
PRA already operates a comparable service in Europe.
PRA conducts clinical trials across a spectrum of therapeutic areas but specialises in central nervous system, allergy/respiratory, cardiovascular disorders, infectious diseases and oncology.
Frontage Laboratories complies with cGMP/GLP regulations and under the new collaboration will offer specialised bioanalytical services through PRA.
The collaboration will also offer pharmacokinetic and biostatistical consultancy and data support (including data management, biostatistical and PK/PD analysis and ICH-compliant report writing).
Frontage operates a bioanalytical and biomarker research centre in Malvern, near Philadelphia, that houses 17 mass spectrometers.
Dr Wim Tamminga, senior director of PRA's US Clinical Pharmacology Center, said: 'This service allows us to accelerate Phase I studies and to give sponsors the ability to make better decisions earlier in the drug development process.' PRA offers clinical development services including filing of Investigational New Drug (IND) and similar regulatory applications, product registration and post-marketing studies.
