Moscow-based contract research organization (CRO) Synergy Research Group forged an alliance with Metrics Research, a five-year-old CRO and site network organization (SMO) based in Karachi, Pakistan. The move falls in line with Synergy’s mission to create an international CRO alliance network to compete with the large global CROs.

"Now we're able to conduct trials in Pakistan also via our new partner. We are also planning some joint marketing and business development tasks – By preparing and sending proposals, and conduct presentations to the existing clients and prospects, and assist each other with related language and cultural translation issues," stated Igor Stefanov, director for business development at Synergy.

Synergy’s alliances also include companies from the U.S., Europe, India and Ukraine.

Metrics, a subsidiary of the People Group of Companies, has a second office in Edmonton, Canada, and also performs ICH-GCP studies there. The company stated it is the first CRO/SMO to operate in Pakistan and works as a partner with top 10 global CROs as well as various research foundations in Canada and Italy.

"The Central and South Asian nexus is pivotal in providing clinical research services to the growing, evolving and competitive R&D industry of the world. Pakistan is already on the radar screen of multinational Pharma and CRO’s. Several Phase II, III FDA registration studies are currently ongoing in Pakistan. This ‘natural’ alliance between Metrics Research of Pakistan and SynRG of Russia will reap the benefits of this untapped market – Especially at a time when the government of Pakistan and relevant ministries are promoting clinical research activities in Pakistan", stated Metrics Research’s chief executive officer, Khurram Zaki Khan.

In September 2007, Synergy formed a similar partnership with Neeman Medical International, an India-based CRO. The alliance focuses on providing international sponsors with monitoring and site and data management services. Neeman Medical was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in New Delhi.

The CRO has about 70 investigative sites in 17 locations across the country, with access to more than 600 trained investigators. In August 2007, SynRG formed a alliance with Costa Mesa, Calf.-based Promedica International.