First ECG lab services launched in China

The US firm provides centralised cardiac safety data monitoring services across the globe for all phases of clinical trials.

Under the joint venture, called Lawke Links, the two firms will now deliver core cardiac laboratory services in China including project management, 12-lead digital ECG, Holter monitoring, site support, centralised ECG data analysis and QT/QTc analysis to biopharmaceutical companies conducting Phase I - IV multinational clinical trials.

" We believe our drug development sponsors who are conducting clinical research in China will appreciate having state-of-the-art core lab services in country ," said Cordium Links CEO Kurian Abraham.

" With infrastructure and expertise ready and available, we will be able to save companies significant time and money while providing them with more options ."

Until now, ECG core laboratories supporting clinical trials in China have typically had to ship the required equipment and technical expertise into the country, and usually must also pay for the use of the equipment until it is returned, which adds time and expense, Abraham explained.

As an " in country " core lab, Lawke Links said that it can now offer drug developers in China all the services that Cordium Links provides its US customers today, " eliminating the difficulty sponsors currently face in sending equipment and locating expertise for every clinical trial conducted in China ".

Within the clinical trials arena, the demand for cardiac-related laboratory services in increasing as there is a trend towards conducting QTc studies in Phase I because they need to be done as a precautionary measure on all drugs that may have the ability to affect the heart.

This was mandated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) two years ago following a number of concerns over drugs that were found to induce rhythmic disturbances.

Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region is one of the world's fastest growing areas in terms of clinical trial activity, with China, along with India, leading the pack by a mile.

According to the Tufts Center for Drug Development, the market for clinical trials in China has grown 43 per cent in the last three years.

Commenting on the decision to partner with a firm in China, Kurian Abraham, CEO of Cordium Links said: " We believe our drug development sponsors who are conducting clinical research in China will appreciate having state-of-the-art core lab services in the country ".

" With infrastructure and expertise ready and available, we will be able to save companies significant time and money while providing them with more options ".

Meanwhile, the firm also announced that it has also now established an exclusive relationship with Peking Union Lawke Biomedical Development (PUL) to provide central lab services in the budding country.

Beijing-bsed PUL is a central laboratory in China that provides both clinical trial testing and diagnostic testing services, including clinical and anatomic pathology.

" We will be the first and only lab that provides a full range of core lab and central lab services to the growing Chinese market ", said Dr Jian Ho, CEO and medical director at PUL, who will initially head up project management and site support for Lawke Links in China.