ERT secures new ‘top tier’ ePRO contracts
The company claims the most significant award is an exclusive agreement with a ‘top 5’ pharma company for ERT to manage a series of studies using its proprietary VIAPhone platform. ERT says the contract is worth more than $7m (€4.9m).
Other contracts include a $3m (€2.1) deal for use of ERT’s VIAPen solution in a pivotal Phase III program, and a $1.2m (€838k) deal for the company’s VIAPhone Pain Diary system, for use in a phase III clinical trial.
Commenting on the announcement, John Blakeley, chief commercial officer at ERT, said: “This significant amount of new business in one quarter reflects ERT’s unique market position.
“The broad scope of our solutions and expertise ensures that we’re able to offer clients unbiased, ‘true partnership’ advice that follows for an accurate and cost-effective trial. Sponsors are increasingly choosing ERT for our industry knowledge and expertise as well as secure and reliable service.”
Market share
ERT claims to be steadily increasing its share in the ePRO (electronic patient reported outcomes) market, which has seen fierce competition of late. The company has expanded its range of ePRO tools to include an internet application, VIAWeb, and a handheld device, VIAPad, both of which are accepted globally by regulatory authorities for the collection of data.
Recent financial results posted at the beginning of March also bode well for the year ahead, with 2010 net revenues standing at $141m (€99m), and growth forecast for 2011.
Joel Morganroth, chairman and interim CEO of ERT said: “We continue to execute our strategic plan of leveraging our expertise in the collection, processing and distribution of digital clinical data and applying that knowledge to other healthcare sectors.”
Last year saw ERT acquire CareFusion Research Services, specialists in respiratory diagnostics and device manufacturing services, for $81m (€61m), further broadening the company’s offering.
“Due to our RS acquisition, we finished 2010 as a very different company than we started the year,” said Morganroth, “this combination has made us one of the top five companies providing ePRO.”
