Covance and the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust Establish Exclusive Agreement to Collaborate on Early Clinical Research

Covance Inc., a leading global drug development services company, and the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust (the “Trust”) today announced that they have entered into a five-year exclusive agreement to work together in conducting early clinical trials at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital on behalf of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

This alliance provides a unique opportunity to build innovative solutions for high-quality early clinical research in a safe and regulated environment at a time when more sponsors are looking to develop studies that call for the recruitment of healthy volunteers and patients.

Covance is a leader in clinical development services and a preferred partner for many companies in the biopharmaceutical industry. The company has been conducting Phase I studies (studies where investigational new drugs are administered to humans for the first time) across its network of clinics for more than 35 years, including its clinical research unit in Leeds, England. Established in 1995, the Trust has a respected and demonstrated commitment to clinical research and specialized patient care services.

The agreement between the Trust and Covance will focus on early phase trials using the clinical research unit at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

“This is an extremely exciting collaboration with Covance and represents an industry-leading relationship in the world of clinical research,” said Professor Robert Sutton, Director of Research and Development at the Trust. “We have a successful track record in the field of experimental medicine and are unique in the UK in our investment in clinical pharmacology along with our position in the local health and life science industry. We have the ability to work with new technologies to enhance the effectiveness and safety of new medicines for our patients.”

As part of its 2017 expansion plans, the Trust will look to expand the clinical research unit at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and further maximize early patient benefits from research at its facility. This expansion will help establish the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and the region as a major biosciences hub. By increasing focus on early clinical research, the Trust will give patients the opportunity to participate in early clinical research for potentially new breakthrough medicines.

”We are looking forward to collaborating with the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust to provide our clients with quicker access to patients in a Phase I setting that supports the high-level needs for specialized care, services and monitoring,” said Rob Aspbury, Vice President and General Manager, Global Clinical Pharmacology Services at Covance. “This is an innovative alliance which is designed to help make the drug development process more efficient and ultimately bring important drugs to market sooner to help patients in need.”