PSR Orphan Experts, a specialty orphan drug consulting and clinical research company, and Raremark, a new online service for families affected by rare disease, have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of new treatments.

The collaboration will leverage the companies’ complementary experience and capabilities, addressing the unique challenges involved in clinical research in orphan indications.

Raremark will engage families in the clinical trial process, helping them understand what taking part in a study means, and keeping them informed while participating in one.

PSR will provide strategic and operational consulting, in addition to traditional CRO services, to preclinical and clinical-stage companies developing drugs for rare diseases.

“Most of the 7,000 known rare diseases lack approved drugs, meaning that clinical trials may be the only opportunity for people affected to access treatments,” said Roger Legtenberg, CEO of PSR. “The rare disease community is generally very active, but there is a need for increased awareness that clinical trials are an option. We believe Raremark’s approach of engaging rare disease patients and families will bring benefits for all involved in drug development.”

Julie Walters, Raremark’s founder, said, “We’re impressed by PSR’s genuine commitment to the patient community, its sole focus on orphan disease, and the high caliber of its management team and long-standing relationships with specialist research centers.”