Merck Serono and Quintiles have entered a five-year clinical development agreement to create a comprehensive process that integrates the expertise from both organizations with the goal of optimizing productivity in the design and execution of studies.
 
Quintiles will be the sole primary provider of Merck Serono’s outsourced clinical development services for its global clinical programs, providing Merck Serono with expanded global reach to implement development programs around the world. Merck Serono will lead the strategy of its clinical development programs, with Quintiles directing clinical trial planning and execution. Quintiles will also contribute to Merck Serono’s future clinical trial design activities through optimized clinical trial design and execution strategies, and will collaborate in strategic decision-making processes affecting the development of Merck Serono’s portfolio.
 
“By combining the strengths of Merck Serono and Quintiles, we are creating a new model in clinical development that will unlock the knowledge and insights of both companies,” said Annalisa Jenkins, executive vice president and head of Global Development and Medical at Merck Serono. “This is an innovative and unique collaboration that will help to translate the highest-quality science into efficiency and agility throughout our clinical trials, while enhancing our competitive position in an increasingly challenging environment of clinical drug development.”
 
“This agreement is built upon a long-standing commitment to trust and transparency between our two organizations, and I’m confident it will only be enhanced by this innovative relationship,” said Tom Pike, chief executive officer, Quintiles. “We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration provides as we work with Merck Serono in a new and innovative manner that leverages the best of our combined capabilities. We view this as a key step forward not only for our two companies, but for the way the industry approaches the development of new therapies for the patients we ultimately serve.”