Accelovance, a Rockville, Md.-based global CRO focusing in oncology, vaccines, and general medicine, and FHI 360, a Durham, N.C.-based global nonprofit organization with CRO capabilities focusing on clinical research in developing countries, have entered into a strategic alliance to more comprehensively serve the international drug development research efforts of pharmaceutical, governmental and nonprofit organizations.

The strategic alliance expands Accelovance's service offering and capabilities in developing countries in Africa, Asia Pacific and South America, and expands FHI's capabilities and coverage in North America and Europe.

FHI 360 Director of Global Research & Services Ted Fitzgerald said, “This opportunity enables both organizations to maximize geographic coverage to deliver cross functional support anywhere in the world to meet the research needs of drug development sponsors. For FHI 360, leveraging Accelovance’s clinical development expertise and resources in the U.S. and Europe is a natural progression in our strong relationship.”

Both CROs have been collaborating on projects in several regions of the world, most notably on a large phase III Ebola vaccine trial in Sierra Leone. The strategic alliance enables both companies to expand their global footprint and support the full program drug development needs of pharmaceutical, governmental, and nonprofit organizations.