PRA International has chosen Thermo Fisher Scientific Watson's laboratory information management system (LIMS) to help manage its early development services bioanalytical laboratory in Assen, The Netherlands. The system has a focus on drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic (DMPK) studies and PRA use it to further automate the production of reports for pharmaceutical sponsors who it contracts with. Thermo will control the information and data the laboratory processes - from sample receipt through to sample report, the firm said. The decision to standardise on Thermo's system stemmed from the fact that 75 per cent of its pharmaceutical customers use it in their own laboratories. Peter Ketelaar, vice president of PRA International Bioanalytical Laboratory said: "The data transfer between sponsor and PRA International is seamless within Watson LIMS, since both sides can view the study and data in the same format". "As a result, now that we have standardized on Watson LIMS our sponsors view the LIMS as an additional reason to work with PRA International". Meanwhile, Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corporation has announced that Vertellus Specialties, a manufacturer of specialty chemicals for industries that include pharma, has signed a three-year agreement to outsource its North American transportation and logistics operations, including global imports and exports to Odyssey. Odyssey said it will provide transportation supply chain solutions in all modes with a focus on safety and service while continuing to implement additional efficiencies. Odyssey's technology will be interfaced with the Vertellus ERP to allow improved data management and visibility. Linda Hicks, vice president of manufacturing and operations for Vertellus said: "The transportation and logistics supply chain is very complex and a thoughtful approach was required". "We have selected Odyssey because of their demonstrated expertise and value delivery in this sector. This partnership will allow Vertellus to move to the next level of performance." In other logistics news, Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) said it has formalised its relationship with fellow logistics and distribution firm Pall-Ex, under a new multi-year agreement. K+N's chief executive of North-West Europe, Peter Ulber said that the two companies have formed a "more strategic partnership" under which K+N's European customers gain access to Pall-Ex's UK network, while Pall-Ex's customers gain access to K+N's European network, which consists of 38 countries. Moreover, K+N has just opened a cool chain hub featuring three different temperature-controlled zones for high-value pharmaceutical products at London's Heathrow airport in a bid to cash in on the high-level of UK exports in this sector
