Strategic alliance to promote drug development services

Australian contract research organisations TetraQ and vivoPharm are forming a strategic alliance to broaden their preclinical drug development services.

TetraQ is bringing to the table its specialised testing of drugs for pain and central nervous system disorders while vivoPharm’s strength lies in testing cancer drugs. Combined, these disease areas account for many drugs currently in development.

Assessing the efficacy of a new drug in disease models is an essential part of the drug development process, according to TetraQ Business Development Manager, Dr Stuart Behncken.

“These models require specialist knowledge and facilities which drug development companies frequently find are best provided by contract research organisations with strengths in particular disease areas,” said Dr Behncken.

“TetraQ is very pleased to access vivoPharm’s expertise in the cancer field, which will fill a gap in our service line-up and also widen our business development reach.

“Our strategy is to build a network of providers to offer an integrated package of services.”

TetraQ and vivoPharm will promote each other’s services, and collaborate in areas of mutual interest such as the development of new models.

Media inquiries: Dr Stuart Behncken at TetraQ (07 3346 9933, 0413 954 020)

About TetraQ
Based at The University of Queensland, TetraQ is a new Australian contract research organisation created to provide integrated preclinical services to the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. TetraQ is part of UQ’s Centre for Integrated Preclinical Drug Development. TetraQ provides specialist services and advice to companies who are in the early stages of drug development and can assist in bridging the gap between drug discovery and early stage clinical trials including preclinical drug formulation. The organisation was formed by four leading UQ researchers and operates through UniQuest Pty Ltd.

About vivoPharm vivoPharm Pty Ltd is a preclinical research organisation (CRO) offering a broad array of in vitro and in vivo services. vivoPharm an Australian CRO offering a one-stop shop for Efficacy Studies, Safety/Toxicology Studies, Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Analysis. vivoPharm possesses experience in translational medicine and is successfully serving pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies using its integrated approach in compound profiling and compound development.