Pacific Biometrics, Inc. (PBI) has been awarded a $1.2 million contract with a top pharmaceutical company related to a biological treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Under the contract, PBI will provide lab data and autoantibody testing for a global Phase III program. The sponsor plans to submit a NDA with the FDA and equivalent filings with regulatory agencies in other countries. Testing is expected to begin in Q32007 and may extend as long as five years.

“Our inclusion in this pivotal, international Phase III arthritis program is exciting on multiple fronts,” said Ron Helm, chief executive officer of PBI. “These studies will further strengthen our relationship with this sponsor, who accounts for an important and growing percentage of our more diversified customer base. Furthermore, our selection for this project is validation for our worldwide, best-in-class testing of biomarkers as they relate to the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis — a growing area of expertise for the company. Finally, assuming the scope of the studies remains unchanged, the contract should have a meaningful impact on our fiscal 2008 financial results.”