Chinese contract research organisation (CRO) Tigermed Consulting has formed strategic alliances with two CROs in Korea and Russia respectively, with the aim of integrating “resources for the expansion and establishment of a global clinical trial network”.
The partnerships are with Seoul-based LSK and with OCT, a Russian CRO with headquarters in Saint Petersburg. The tie-ups will enable Tigermed to provide more extensive and comprehensive outsourcing services to pharmaceutical multinationals and local institutions for the research and development of innovative drugs, the Chinese company said.
In April Tigermed became the fourth member of the Contract Research Organisation Service Alliance (CROSA), originally formed in May 2007 by Sundia MediTech (Shanghai) Company, United PharmaTech and HD BioSciences in China.
Established in 2002, the CRO offers a broad range of services including all phases of clinical trials, registration of chemical/biological drugs and medical devices, new drug development, technology transfer, data management, training in Good Clinical Practice and market research.
Therapeutic specialities include oncology, biological vaccines, hepatitis, the digestive system, cardiovascular conditions and infectious diseases. With a staff of 100 serving more than 150 local and global clients, Tigermed has 15 offices in China, one in the US and a liaison office in Europe.
LSK is a leading CRO in Korea that supplies clinical research services at all stages of the development process in its home market as well as Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia, Tigermed said. The strategic alliance will allow the Chinese CRO to extend its capabilities into the Asia Pacific region, providing complete regulatory and clinical research services to pharmaceutical companies interested in the wider Asian market, it noted.
OCT (Outsourcing Clinical Trials) conducts trials in Russia, Ukraine and other Eastern European countries. Linking up with Tigermed will facilitate the latter’s expansion into these countries and will furnish registration and clinical research services for Chinese pharmaceutical enterprises with plans to enter Eastern European markets, the Chinese CRO said.
“By forming these strategic alliances, Tigermed takes the pioneering position in exploring business potential and achieving breakthroughs in global service capabilities through cross-border co-operation, which is a significant move for China’s CROs,” commented vice president Cao Xiaochun. “Strategic collaboration is one of our important tactics to expand global business, and this type of partnering becomes an essential part of our international strategy.”
Tigermed’s ambition is now to establish itself as the leading CRO in the Asia Pacific region within the next three years.
