Under the deal the firm’s will collaborate on clinical programmes at locations across Taiwan, which Siro CEO Chetan Tamhankar said is becoming an increasingly important research destination.
"The clinical trials market in Taiwan is an attractive destination for global pharma-biotech firms. Taiwan offers a conducive regulatory environment and trained manpower," commented Tamhankar.
He added that the VCRO deal puts “Siro is now in a position to offer wider geography and cost efficiencies to its existing and potential clients."
These thoughts were echoed by Ajit Nair, president of Siro India, who said the firm’s “will draw from each other's strengths to offer enhanced services to their customers,” emphasising patient recruitment as a particular advantage.
Siro, which recently partnered with South Korean CRO DreamCIS, also stands to expand its reach across the whole of Asia through the deal according to VCRO general manager Chun-Chun Li.
Li explained that: “VCRO has an extensive network in the Asia-Pacific regions including Japan, China, Singapore and Hong Kong,” adding that the “alliance helps us deliver value arising out of our clinical capabilities and geographic location to a global set of clients."
This “global set of clients” is largely based on Siro’s existing portfolio of US and European customers, which received a significant boost through the integration of acquisition of German CRO Omega Mediation.
Meanwhile, the status of talks rumoured to be going on between Siro and US biotechnology firm Bicon earlier this year remains unclear, although the latter firm has bought a stake in Cuban contract manufacturing firm CIMA.