INDUSTRY FOCUS: Whilst some areas are witnessing a growth in clinical trial investment the UK continues to battle. Pharma companies are reducing the amount of expenditure in this region and, in some cases, have simply lost faith in the UK’s ability to perform. What lessons can be learnt from the rest of Europe and how do we stop this negative trend?

FOCUS ON: Whether your trial concerns the investigation of a treatment for type 2 diabetes, CVD, or another chronic condition such as osteoporosis there is little doubt that uppermost in your mind will be the critical questions of the ability of the trial to deliver the right number of volunteers and the feasibility of this in relation to keeping a lid on costs. Synexus discusses how it is well placed to consistently, and cost effectively, recruit patients at an expedited rate.

Synexus began 2010 with the announcement that it had finalised the acquisition of German company, ClinPharm. This deal increased the number of Synexus Dedicated Research Centres (DRCs) to 26 and has significantly increased Synexus’ patient population reach. No other patient recruitment organisation can now compete in terms of size or scale. The ClinPharm deal also brings considerable additional therapy area experience to Synexus.

In the developing world there are tens of thousands of children dying needlessly. However, despite continued research into the conditions affecting these parts of the world clinical studies are constantly faced with the challenge of how to reach individuals who do not have access to traditional healthcare. Local knowledge and cultural understanding combined with the ability to target these individuals are two key components which make such research into important areas such as vaccine trials possible. Synexus describes how its flexible and innovative model can support such trials.

Synexus will be attending the 18^th Annual Partnerships with CROs Conference in Orlando from the 28^th – 30^th April. Synexus is keen to maximise the networking opportunities this event provides. Therefore, if you would be interested in arranging a meeting with Synexus please contact Jeremy Hickling to arrange a convenient time.

Synexus once again proved it is at the forefront of discussion and debate when it brought together Sir Michael Rawlins, chairman of the National Institute of Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE) and a number of industry leaders as part of its Chairman’s Dinners programme.