Wayne, Pa.-based CRO Encorium Group has inked a $1.7 million deal to manage a phase II trial in major depressive disorder for an unnamed biotech company based in Japan. Encorium will provide site management and monitoring, data management, biostatistical support and medical writing for the study. Encorium stated it intends to pursue further opportunities in the Japanese market and has made that market one of its key long-term business strategies. Recently, the company signed a $3.8 million contract to conduct phase IIb clinical trials with a new antiviral agent for the treatment of shingles (herpes zoster).