2007 Year in Review:  A Year of CRO Consolidation and Global Expansion

There were more pharmaceutical outsourcing mergers and acquisitions than in any previous year since CenterWatch began tracking the market in the early 1990s. Consolidation was seen across nearly every sector of the clinical trials industry. 2007 saw activity intensify in regions such as Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe. In 2006, only a handful of sponsors and CROs had toeholds in India and China. This year, a flurry of expansions took place in those areas as the entire clinical trials industry seemed to be jockeying for the potential R&D windfalls predicted.

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Academic Health Centers’ Clinical Research Efforts Buoyed

The National Institutes of Health initiative to rework the clinical research process is boosting clinical research at a dozen universities receiving the NIH’s Clinical and Translational Science Award. The grants have prompted universities to rethink their approach to internal research, collaboration with other universities and industry-sponsored research.

Spain’s Timelines May Benefit from Simplified Contract Process

With a population of around 45 million, highly experienced investigators and a well-established network of public hospitals and co-operative groups, Spain benefits from the same standards and diversity of clinical trials existing across the rest of western Europe.

Eye On: Hormone Deficiencies

Disorders of hormonal regulation include testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism) in both sexes; premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and menopausal symptoms including hot flashes and vaginal atrophy  in women; and erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. CenterWatch has identified a pipeline of 17 drugs in various stages of development for hypogonadism and sexual disorders, as well as for other hormonal conditions. Most of these drugs affect estrogen or androgen receptors, including new formulations that should enhance convenience of use, whereas others have novel mechanisms of action.

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