COVANCE EXPANDS CLINICAL TRIAL CAPABILITIES IN ASIA PACIFIC

Pharmaceutical research company Covance has stepped up its laboratory testing capabilities in the Asia Pacific region to satisfy the growing number of sponsors conducting clinical studies in that area, the company reported.

Within the year, Japan's two largest central laboratories -- Mitsubishi Kagaku Bio-Clinical Laboratories (MBC) and SRL Medisearch -- will partner with Covance to conduct clinical trials. Oncology and cardiovascular drugs, said Covance, will be the primary focus of development.

"These latest developments will help more clients to conduct clinical trials in the Asia Pacific rim," said John Marolf, general manager of Covance central laboratory services.