PRA, a global CRO, has formed a strategic relationship with biotech Amgen for a series of phase III studies to develop several biosimilar drugs on a worldwide basis.

The agreement is intended to govern the entire anticipated scope of Amgen's global biosimilar portfolio and PRA will serve as the sole provider of CRO services for these studies.

"This agreement reflects and confirms PRA's commitment to providing full service support to our clients' development pipelines," said Kent Thoelke, PRA's executive vice president of scientific and medical affairs. "Our mission is to assist our clients across all phases of biotech drug development by combining therapeutic and operational expertise with local knowledge to help them meet their development goals.”

Thoelke added, “This relationship represents a key milestone in PRA's commitment to supporting our clients' biosimilar development programs. Amgen is a blue chip company and a world leader with a global reputation for excellence in bringing biologic therapies to patients with grievous illnesses. PRA has a strong track record in executing our clients' global registration trials and helping to bring new drugs to market.”