More discovery outsourcing at AstraZeneca with Pharmaron deal

Astrazeneca signs discovery deal with Pharmaron
Sino-US CRO Pharmaron has signed a drug discovery partnership with Anglo-Swedish drug major AstraZeneca.

Under the deal -financial terms of which were not disclosed - Pharmaron will provide AstraZeneca with chemistry, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK), and efficacy screening services.

Work will be conducted at the contract research organisation's (CRO) recently expanded​ site in Beijing.

Manos Perros, Head of Infection iMed and sponsor of the collaboration for AstraZeneca said: “We are pleased to enter this strategic partnership with Pharmaron which we believe will help us progress projects through our R&D pipeline more efficiently​" adding that "Pharmaron scientists will be integrated into our project teams.​"

Boliang Lou, Pharmaron CEO, said: “This partnership is an important milestone for Pharmaron as we are strengthening our capacity in the area of fully integrated services as a highly competitive and global player​.”

AstraZeneca's use of outsourced drug discovery service rather than in-house research over the last few years is very well documented​.

From its discussion with Almac in 2010​ - relating to the firm's Flexyte system - to its deals with BioFocus and Argent earlier this year​ to its more recent agreement with Wuxi​ which involved some preclinical development support, AstraZeneca's efforts to restock its pipeline have involved collaboration.

Whether the comments about integration will see AstraZeneca take a similar to the approach to other Pharmaron customers that have embedded teams with the Beijing CRO - most recently generics firm Merck Serono​ - is unclear as further information has not been disclosed.

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

PBPK modeling that saves you time and money

PBPK modeling that saves you time and money

Content provided by Lonza Small Molecules | 09-Oct-2023 | White Paper

Understanding pharmacokinetic behaviors ahead of later-stage development means making informed decisions earlier. This enhanced capability helps your drug...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars