The collaboration will focus on identifying patient populations for vaccine studies, especially for the growing adult market.
North Carolina-based contract research organisation PRA has in the past conducted Phase I-IV adult and children’s vaccine studies for big pharma. The CRO will team up with the Alliance for Multispecialty Research (AMR), a network of 20 independent research centres in the US, which received the Best Clinical Trial Network award from the 2015 World Vaccine Congress.
PRA will use AMR’s clinical study services to support its small- to mid-size vaccine trials and try to “meet or exceed” sponsors’ enrolment timelines. AMR’s previous vaccine study work includes several government-sponsored anti-bioterrorism programmes.
Vaccines: not just for kids
The collaboration comes at a time when vaccine trials are increasingly aimed at increasing adult uptake, focused on infectious diseases such as avian flu, malaria and hepatitis, as well as immuno-oncology biologics. The adult vaccines market is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 7% over the next five years.
The groups say their work together will allow these trials to run more efficiently and effectively.
“This is an ideal collaboration,” said Frank Hijek, PRA’s head of drug development. “It combines the expertise of PRA, one of the world’s leading contract research organizations, and AMR one of the most effective clinical research site networks in the industry. Together, we can help sponsors get vaccines to the people who need them.”
“Our partnership with PRA allows us to provide a simple approach to effective vaccine studies,” added AMR CEO Brenda Atchison. “Our respective expertise will allow us to make significant strides in implementing efficient solutions to smarter vaccine development.”