Contract research organisation (CRO) Ecron Acunova has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Newcastle University in the UK, under which the two parties will look at ways of working together closely on clinical trials.
The MoU builds on a number of initial discussions, conducted recently under the confidentiality agreements, about how the two organisations can collaborate to mutual benefit.
Newcastle University hosts one of the leading medical schools in the UK, with “a clear focus on translational research” and “a very close relationship with a number of excellent hospitals”, the organisations pointed out. As such, the university intends to expand its relationships with contract research organisations from overseas.
For its part, Ecron Acunova wants to deepen its presence in the UK and sees the tie-up with Newcastle University as a means to this end. Based in Bangalore and formed in late 2007 through Indian company Manipal Acunova’s acquisition of German CRO Ecron, Ecron Acunova already has subsidiaries in Europe and the US, with European headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany.
Ecron Acunova and Newcastle University say they have “pledged to continue detailed discussions about mutually beneficial working relationships”. As a start, the CRO has contracted an initial clinical research study at the university.
