eResearch Technology (eRT), the cardiac safety specialist that last December acquired contract research organisation (CRO) Covance’s centralised electrocardiogram (ECG) business, has formed an alliance with fellow US company nSpire to offer integrated cardiac safety and pulmonary core laboratory services to clinical researchers worldwide.
While eRT provides centralised ECG, eClinical technology, ePRO (electronic patient-reported outcomes) and other services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and related industries, nSpire Health is a leading player in respiratory clinical trial services, including cardiopulmonary exercise testing, high-definition pulmonary diagnostics systems, spirometry and home monitoring.
Their partnership will enable the two companies to deliver “a combined solution to meet the increased demand for cardiopulmonary safety and efficacy services during clinical trials, in part caused by an increased interest in using inhaled therapeutics”, they said. The integrated services on offer will range from project planning and set-up to study conduct, management, and data delivery for primary and secondary cardiac and respiratory clinical trial endpoints.
Specifically, nSpire Health brings to the table its eSP Core Lab Data Management software and quality assurance services, as well as HDpf, KoKo, PiKo and PiKoLogic (electronic Diary) respiratory diagnostic measuring instruments. The company claims its PiKo home health monitors and HDpft systems are “the most accurate and precise pulmonary function testing systems worldwide”.
For its part, eRT will handle the digital collection, measurement, interpretation, review and distribution of cardiac safety data through its EXPeRT 2.0 workflow-enabled data management system.
The alliance with nSpire Health addresses “a growing need in clinical research to offer comprehensive, best-in-class services in these two closely related areas of clinical study”, commented Michael McKelvey, president and chief executive officer of eRT.
Customers were increasingly looking for consolidation and streamlining in all phases of clinical trials, he said, adding: “eRT and nSpire Health approach the market in the same way – focusing on scientific excellence, providing a quality product, and client satisfaction. We are both metrics-driven and process-oriented to ensure on-time, on-budget, reliable data delivery on a global scale.”
