Cetero Research and Cardiocore Announce Strategic Alliance for TQT Services

Cetero Research and Cardiocore Announce Global Strategic Alliance Leading Clinic and Core Lab Provide Integrated Thorough QT Services

(March 17, 2009; Cary, NC & Bethesda, MD)—Cetero Research, an industry leader in clinical pharmacology, and Cardiocore, an industry leader in centralized cardiac testing, announce a global strategic alliance to optimize the design, conduct and reporting of cardiac safety studies. The alliance provides clinical trial sponsors direct access to the world’s most experienced team of Thorough QT (TQT) scientists, unparalleled subject enrollment and bed capacity, integrated study management and accelerated data delivery. The partnership’s turnkey offering also streamlines sponsors’ vendor selection, quality evaluation and contracting processes. “When selecting a clinic and core lab for cardiac safety trials, customers consistently tell us their most important needs are hands-on experts, top-quality facilities and seamless project controls,” said Dr. Jerry Merritt, CEO of Cetero Research. “By creating the first true integration between a top clinical pharmacology CRO and a top core lab, the Cetero-Cardiocore alliance is able to provide clients with a turnkey solution to their cardiac safety needs, with one contract, one project manager, and one final report.” “Cetero and Cardiocore are leading the industry in a positive new era where sponsors’ needs come first,” said Cardiocore CEO, Jennifer Cotteleer. “To benefit sponsors, we have fully integrated study design, clinical conduct, project oversight, data interpretation and expert reporting. This unique integration of two focused, experienced providers represents the optimum solution to ensure Thorough QT trials are performed correctly, completely and concisely.” Cetero and Cardiocore have validated the success of their unified service delivery through the joint conduct of TQT and other cardiac safety studies performed since the publication of the E-14 Guidance for Industry. Together, the two organizations offer unmatched expertise in clinical pharmacology, bioanalytical services, cardiac safety consulting, and electrocardiographic analyses. Their client base includes large multinational pharmaceutical companies, mid-tier specialty drug developers and emerging biotechnology firms. About Cetero Research: Cetero Research has the world’s largest capacity in six clinical pharmacology facilities focused on providing industry-leading early clinical development services, three bioanalytical laboratories and specialty Phase II-IV services. Detailed company information is available at www.cetero.com, or by contacting April Johnson at 919.468.4214, or april.johnson@cetero.com. About Cardiocore: Cardiocore has provided superior centralized cardiac testing services to the pharmaceutical industry for 17 years. Services include centralized electrocardiography (ECG), Holter monitoring, echocardiography (ECHO), multigated acquisition scans (MUGA), protocol development and statistical analysis. The company is experienced in cardiac safety and efficacy testing in Phase I-IV and Thorough QT clinical trials. These services are supported by the company’s advanced data management system featuring the proprietary HolterGateway™ and CardioPortal™. Cardiocore’s U.S. headquarters is located in Bethesda, Maryland, its West Coast office is located in San Francisco, California, and its European subsidiary, Cardiocore Limited, is located in London, England. www.cardiocore.com

.