Ranbaxy is planning to buy a contract research organization (CRO) that would be a component of a new R&D subsidiary. The CRO would be part of a partially owned R&D division to include Ranbaxy’s ongoing collaborative programs with GSK. Ranbaxy hopes to sign new contracts with other global pharmaceutical companies. Said Ranbaxy R&D president Himadri Sen: “We are looking for an investor willing to pick up either a 40% or a 60% stake in the new research company.” He added: “After the hive-off, the second step will be to acquire a CRO in the U.S. or in Europe.” Ranbaxy’s new entity will require a new head, while Sen will continue to look after research for the generic pipeline. Along with contract research services, the new research entity will continue to work on its own discovery research programs through external funding. 

Cedara Software, a provider of imaging and knowledge management solutions for clinical trials, announced its solution showcase for the upcoming RSNA meeting, to be held in Chicago next week. Cedara will exhibit different software solutions for original equipment manufacturers and medical imaging developers. Cedara Software president Loris Sartor said: “From the initial DICOM standards creation to today’s latest clinical applications, Cedara has been a silent partner to much of the innovation in our field.”

PHT Corporation, a leading provider of electronic patient reported outcome (ePRO) solutions, was named the technology category winner for its corporate web site, www.phtcorp.com, at the annual 2007 MITX Awards (the Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange). Sheila Rocchio, PHT’s vice president of marketing, said: “We look forward to working closely with clients to bring new and exciting ePRO products—such as integrated solutions, cognitive assessments and the StudyPad Tablet—to market in order to enhance clinical research possibilities worldwide.”

ChemDiv, a global chemistry-driven contract research organization, and Nerviano Medical Sciences (NMS), the largest pharmaceutical R&D facility in Italy, have entered into a collaboration to optimize and develop Nerviano’s drug targets. ChemDiv chemists and biologists will work on the program in close collaboration with NMS. ChemDiv will receive fees for services carried out and a milestone payment for the successful performance of the program. Giampiero Duglio, NMS’ CEO, said: “We believe [the] ChemDiv contribution will represent a major upside in our commitment to push into the clinic high quality chemical candidates intended to inhibit key cancer molecular targets.”

Clinical technology suite etrials is working to return to profitability and offer improved service delivery despite restructuring and organizational changes planned for the next two to three quarters. Restructuring changes include: replacing the company founder John Cline in May 2007, former chief operating officer Robert Sammis replaced with Peter Benton in July 2007, and the hire of new vice president of product development, Chuck Piccirillo. The company is also building a new sales force. Chip Jennings, chief executive officer of etrials, added: “Although we are in the middle of transforming our organization, we produced strong growth in contract additions with minimal cancellations this quarter.”

Phase Forward has set up a subsidiary in India. The company will be based in Hyderabad and known as Phase Forward Software Services India Private Limited. It will be located inside the facilities of a local partner, Virtusa. “The formation of a Phase Forward subsidiary in India is a natural extension of our long-established strategy to give our customers access to the most advantageous and cost-effective mix of offshore and onshore resources available,” said president and CEO Bob Weiler. “We are pleased with the high-quality partnership we have built with Phase Forward,” said Virtusa’s Chairman and CEO Kris Canekeratne. “We are delighted to extend ourselves beyond engineering services to include professional services as well. Here’s the release. 

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