According to the company, the new division will design clinical and commercial solutions specifically for early-stage life sciences companies. Supported by more than 1,000 employees, the solutions suite provides simplified operating procedures, specialized teams, and services across drug development and commercialization.
“We designed this comprehensive solutions suite to address what our biotech customers were asking for — transparent and fit-for-purpose clinical processes with dedicated, therapeutically-aligned partners coupled with our unique set of enterprise capabilities,” said Iqvia CEO and Chairman Ari Bousbib in a press release.
Main therapy areas of focus for the new division include oncology, central nervous system, dermatology, cardiovascular, and immunology.
Iqvia also recently launched the next generation of its site portal technology to support sharing cross-trial training materials and safety notifications. Two of the top five pharmaceutical companies were involved in the design and testing, and are now using the upgraded platform, according to Iqvia.
Dedicated biotech divisions
The launch of Iqvia Biotech follows the unveiling of Parexel Biotech in early January – and a record-breaking 2018 in terms of biotech funding.
However, it is unlikely that this same pace will continue, though some of this is “just a healthy normalization,” Evercore ISI senior managing director and partner, equity research, Ross Muken previously told us.
David Windley, CFA, CPA, equity analyst, Jefferies LLC, said, “Biotech funding in 2019 is probably going to be flat or maybe down a little bit versus 2018,” though it is doubtful it will have the same negative effect seen in late 2015. Still, it could complicate hiring plans at CROs, but it is unlikely it will have any significant impact on the core business.