ADVISORY/Pharmaceutical Industry and Contract Research Organizations Convene to Discuss New Outsourcing Partnerships in Changing Business Environment.

Business Editors/Science Writers/Health/Medical

Writers/Pharmaceutical/Biotech Reporters

ADVISORY...for Apr. 26-28 (Monday-Wednesday)

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 5, 2004

Challenged by rising costs and dwindling pipelines, the biopharmaceutical industry is innovating new models in outsourcing as a better way to conduct safer and more efficient clinical trials, thereby reducing time to market for new therapies. This trend is radically transforming the relationship that drug companies have traditionally held with contract research organizations (CROs) and other service providers that help manage different aspects of the clinical trial process. Today, the traditional client/vendor relationship between drug companies and CROs, often characterized as "love/hate," is headed toward extinction. Replacing this arrangement is a new model based more on the principals of true partnership, with both sides sharing some of the financial risks and rewards associated with a drug development process that is, almost by definition, lengthy and fraught with uncertainty.

On April 26-28, over 1,000 influential professionals from pharmaceutical and biotech companies along with CROs, niche providers and investigative sites will meet in Orlando, Florida to discuss ways to strengthen clinical development partnerships at the 13th Annual Partnerships with CROs & Other Outsourcing Providers conference. Known as the nation's leading forum on outsourcing for the pharmaceutical industry, the conference features more than 135 speakers discussing strategic and business advantages for companies involved in the discovery and development chain.

The following presenters are available for interviews:

James A. Bannon, PharmD, Corporate Senior Vice President and President, Late Stage Clinical Services, Covance Inc.

"The outsourcing world's changing for pharmaceutical and biopharm firms. In the next few years, our space is going to become a lot like the IT outsourcing world, as strategic outsourcing takes center stage. In this scenario, sponsors will increase and focus their outsourcing activity--reducing the number of CROs they work with, but relying on the strategic few as true partners in their drug pipeline."

John R. Vogel, Ph.D., Drug Development Consultant, John R. Vogel Associates

"The pharmaceutical industry is facing unprecedented business challenges that will require more efficient approaches to developing and marketing important new therapies. While other research-based industries have demonstrated the value of partnering with external providers, the pharmaceutical industry has yet to solve the puzzle of how to achieve real value through outsourcing. Three important principles are emerging as critical success factors: Strategic Outsourcing, Outsourcing Leadership, and Managing the Client-Provider Relationship."

Ralph F. Munyan, J.D., M.B.A., President, PharmaMediation, Inc.

"The process of building and maintaining trusted business relationships between BioPharma companies and CROs is the same as in any other relationship--it takes vision, commitment, dedication and hard work. But the payoffs of a well crafted drug development partnership--in higher profits, shared expertise, and improved efficiency--are exciting, extremely satisfying, and well worth the effort. There is no better place for learning about the trends transforming our industry--and to meet the people remaking the clinical development process--than the CRO Partnerships conference."

Bruce L. Maloff, Ph.D., Chief Clinical Officer, FFF Enterprises and LifeTree Technology

"As the demand for acceleration in clinical trials continues to drive new types of research services, such as electronic data capture and handheld patient diaries, Pharma is looking for CROs to play well with others. CROs and specialized service companies that provide integrated solutions make it easier for Pharma to gain efficiencies. As these alliances continue to evolve there will be a win-win situation for Pharma and the CROs."

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Kristina Ebenius or Shoba Vaitheeswaran at 781-684-0770 or at [e-mail] or visit www.cropartners.com.