Quotient and Bend discuss new collaboration at AAPS

Quotient Clinical and Bend Research have teamed up to tackle solubility issues in early clinical development.

Outsourcing-pharma spoke with Quotient Clinical managing director Mark Egerton and Bend Research CEO Rod Ray, who predicted that combining the former’s trial design capabilities with the latter’s formulation technology, will offer customers a faster way to bring candidates to trial.

"Poorly soluble compounds are becoming ever more prevalent in the industry’s pipeline, and we have many customers who require formulation help to advance such problematic compounds,” explained Egerton.

He said Bend’s formulation expertise provides a “reliable, rapid and efficient drug formulation platform."

Ray agreed that Quotient’s “RapidFACT provides our clients with a game-changing advantage in advancing their compounds."

The deal marks the latest stage in Quotient Clinical’s development, which began in 2009 with parent company, Quotient Bioresearch’s acquisition of Charles River Laboratories’ early-stage clinical research facility in Edinburgh, Scotland.

It is also the second collaboration Bend has formed in as many months following a deal with US contract research organisation (CRO), PPD in October.