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| 26 September 2007 | 2007-09-26T00:00:00.0000000+01:00 |
| AstraZeneca Signs Master Clinical Study Agreement with Keio University To Counteract ‘Drug Lag’
Keio University School of Medicine, based in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, and AstraZeneca K.K., the Osaka-based subsidiary of AstraZeneca, today announced a Master Clinical Study Agreement. Separate project agreements on future clinical trials involving the two parties will be concluded independently under this master agreement. | The agreement has been signed against a background of the recent severe environment for clinical trials in Japan. This has caused a huge time difference - the so-called ‘drug lag’ - compared to the US and Europe, in terms of the time when new medicines become available for prescriptions, which has become a social problem.
In order to make better medicines available for use as soon as possible, it is vital for medical institutions and pharmaceutical companies to select medicines in areas of high unmet need and promptly proceed with clinical development while keeping close communications with each other.
Keio University School of Medicine has just begun an effort to build up clinical trials and clinical research, and will have discussions with AstraZeneca as part of this effort under this agreement. The university will also support early conduct of clinical trials of candidate compounds in the company’s pipeline. At the same time, it is the university’s intention to reduce the time required to undertake and conclude clinical trial contracts to contribute to earlier commencement and enhanced efficiency of clinical developments in Japan.
Additionally, Keio University School of Medicine and AstraZeneca will enhance interaction between their experts in therapeutic areas and will try to build close relationships not only for clinical trials but also for exploratory research and translational research.
Media Enquiries:
Edel McCaffrey, Tel: +44 (0) 207 304 5034
Steve Brown, Tel: +44 (0) 207 304 5033
Investor Relations:
Mina Blair, Tel: +44 (0) 207 304 5084
Jonathan Hunt, Tel: +44 (0) 207 304 5087
Karl Hard, Tel: +44 (0) 207 304 5322
Jörgen Winroth, Tel: +1 (212) 579 0506
Ed Seage, Tel: +1 302 886 4065
Peter Vozzo, (MedImmune) Tel: +1 (301) 398 4358
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