Quintiles announced that it has entered into a clinical pharmacology alliance with AstraZeneca to deliver AstraZeneca’s clinical pharmacology studies across multiple therapy areas and around the globe.

According to a release, Quintiles will assume the operational responsibilities for the majority of AstraZeneca’s clinical pharmacology delivery. The alliance is extensive and involves the engagement of a sole provider for clinical pharmacology delivery, and a simple, standardized pricing model. Also, as well as clinical conduct and medical oversight of studies, the agreement covers a range of activities across the end-to-end study process.

Quintiles’ network of clinical pharmacology facilities are located across Europe and the United States, with plans to open a unit in Asia in 2010. These facilities are connected via integrated data platforms using advanced electronic data capture and reporting.

An article that appeared in our June issue, based on a survey of CROs and Pharma managers, discussed this topic of changing relationship structures.

Another example of strategic alliances is between Covance and Lilly from last summer, where Covance took on Lilly’s non-GLP toxicology, in vivo pharmacology, quality control laboratory, and imaging services, and Lilly signed to provide Covance $1.6B in services over 10 years.