inVentiv Health Forms Strategic Alliance With Bell Medical Solutions, One Of Japan's Top Clinical Research Organizations

BURLINGTON, Mass., April 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- inVentiv Health, offering best-in-class clinical, commercial and consulting services to the healthcare industry, announced today a strategic alliance with Bell Medical Solutions, one of Japan's top clinical research organizations with more than 700 clinical research associates serving the growing Japanese market.

Bell, a preferred service provider to some of Japan's top pharmaceutical companies, offers CRO services that cover Phases I-IV, post-approval studies and patient access.  Together, inVentiv and Bell will offer comprehensive global drug development services to Japanese and international clients conducting studies in Japan. 

"This alliance provides Bell Medical Solutions with inVentiv's significant international reach and the ability to participate in larger, global studies," said inVentiv Health CEO Paul Meister.  "For inVentiv, the alliance bolsters our already significant position in Japan to better support our clients who are capitalizing on exciting opportunities for growth."

Speaking recently to The Economist magazine, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the pharmaceutical industry trade group, said Japan may be one of the world's best markets right now for foreign drug companies.  Sales growth in 2011 for the top eight multinational drug firms in Japan ranged from 12% to 31%.  PhRMA called these "emerging market" growth rates.  Firms now are sending some of their brightest researchers to Japan.

Meanwhile, the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Agency (PMDA), which oversees the approval process for Japan's Health Ministry, has slashed review times over the last five years and increased the number of new drug approvals to serve the needs of a burgeoning population of elderly.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Bell has conducted hundreds of studies in various therapeutic areas since the company began offering CRO services in 1986.  It is the only full-service CRO in Japan and is known for upholding the highest quality and regulatory standards.

"Bell is not just a respected CRO, it is also embedded in the Japanese healthcare and drug approval system," said Ray Hill, President of inVentiv Health Clinical.  "It is a crucial time for our clients operating in Japan and we can now provide all the support they need to succeed."

About inVentiv Health
inVentiv Health, Inc. is a leading global provider of best-in-class clinical, commercial and consulting services to companies seeking to accelerate performance. inVentiv offers convergent services that deliver extraordinary outcomes to clients whose goal is improving human life. In 40 countries around the world, inVentiv's 13,000 employees help clients rapidly transform promising ideas into commercial reality. inVentiv clients include more than 550 pharmaceutical, biotech and life sciences companies, as well as companies that now see health as part of their mission. inVentiv Health, Inc. is privately owned by inVentiv Group Holdings, Inc., an organization sponsored by affiliates of Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P., Liberty Lane Partners and members of the inVentiv management team. For more information, visit http://www.inventivhealth.com.

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SOURCE inVentiv Health