PAREXEL International Introduces Temperature Recording Solution for Study Drug Transportation, Bringing More Efficiency to Clinical Supply Chain

BOSTON, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PAREXEL International Corporation (Nasdaq: PRXL), a leading global biopharmaceutical services organization, today announced that it has introduced an integrated temperature recording solution for study drug transportation as part of its expanded Clinical Logistics Services. PAREXEL’s temperature control process saves 24 to 48 hours of time over traditional cold chain methods in which temperature devices shipped out to investigative sites need to be transported back to a hub to be read out and analyzed before study drugs can be released for use. With PAREXEL’s innovative approach, a central hub receives and disseminates confirmations of temperature data in real-time, allowing clinical site investigators to quickly begin using study drugs according to trial protocols.

Working in cooperation with Stora Enso, a global paper, packaging and wood products company, and MediXine, specializing in multimodal communication e-services for health care and wellness, PAREXEL has developed a temperature recording process specifically designed and optimized for the clinical trial supply process. The packaging container for study drugs incorporates a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag for temperature recording and dedicated compartment for a mobile phone, providing automatic tracking and remote, high speed transmission of the complete temperature record. The RFID tag records study drug temperature at pre-defined time points, while a mobile phone application and web-based portal allow secure, controlled data transmission and access to temperature data in real-time between a central hub and an investigative site.

“Facing ever more complex clinical trials, biopharmaceutical companies are looking to gain greater efficiency through consistent delivery of trial-related supplies to multiple locations worldwide. This key advancement in temperature control for investigational medicines represents our commitment to ensure that clinical supplies and logistics become further streamlined, enabling our clients to reduce associated time and costs,” said Joe Avellone, M.D., Corporate Vice President, Clinical Research Services, PAREXEL.

PAREXEL has simplified the temperature control process by making data available for central analysis immediately upon arrival of the study drug at the investigational site. Site staff reads out RFID tag information and transmits data to the central hub server via mobile phone. The central hub reviews the data and transmits a confirmation back to the site in real-time. If the temperature was in range during transportation, the study drug can be immediately released to use within Randomization and Trial Supply Management (RTSM) technologies. The packaging container can be used for monitoring drugs both in transit and at the site. With this temperature recording solution, no hardware or software installations are required at investigational sites and little training is needed. Designed to provide temperature recordings at flexible intervals between 5 to 35 degrees Celsius, the solution can track over 8,000 data points and operate for nearly 60 consecutive days.

An integral part of PAREXEL’s Clinical Research Services, its Clinical Logistics Services Group provides centralized coordination of clinical trial supplies, central lab services, and ancillary supplies worldwide. Capabilities include a distribution and warehousing infrastructure to handle and transport clinical trial supplies to locations worldwide, and sophisticated technology systems to track shipments and inventory levels. The global clinical logistics team, with in-depth expertise in import and export regulations, oversees and coordinates multinational logistics. The Clinical Logistics Services are supported by enabling technology solutions, including RTSM technologies, and systems for product tracking, laboratory operations management, and warehousing.

Note: Randomization and Trial Supply Management (RTSM) solutions incorporate functionality that is often referenced as Interactive Voice and Web Response Systems (IVRS/IWRS).

About PAREXEL International

PAREXEL International Corporation is a leading global bio/pharmaceutical services organization, providing a broad range of knowledge-based contract research, consulting, and medical communications services to the worldwide pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. Committed to providing solutions that expedite time-to-market and peak-market penetration, PAREXEL has developed significant expertise across the development and commercialization continuum, from drug development and regulatory consulting to clinical pharmacology, clinical trials management, medical education and reimbursement. Perceptive Informatics, Inc., a subsidiary of PAREXEL, provides advanced technology solutions, including medical imaging, to facilitate the clinical development process. Headquartered near Boston, Massachusetts, PAREXEL operates in 70 locations throughout 54 countries around the world, and has approximately 9,720 employees. For more information about PAREXEL International visit www.PAREXEL.com.

This release contains “forward-looking” statements regarding future results and events, including, without limitation, statements regarding expected financial results, future growth and customer demand. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “appears,” “estimates,” “projects,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “targets,” and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this release involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual future results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this release. Important factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, risks associated with: actual operating performance; actual expense savings and other operating improvements resulting from recent and anticipated restructurings, the loss, modification, or delay of contracts which would, among other things, adversely impact the Company’s recognition of revenue included in backlog; the Company’s dependence on certain industries and clients; the Company’s ability to win new business, manage growth and costs, and attract and retain employees; the Company’s ability to complete additional acquisitions and to integrate newly acquired businesses or enter into new lines of business; the impact on the Company’s business of government regulation of the drug, medical device and biotechnology industry; consolidation within the pharmaceutical industry and competition within the biopharmaceutical services industry; the potential for significant liability to clients and third parties; the potential adverse impact of health care reform; and the effects of exchange rate fluctuations and other international economic, political, and other risks. Such factors and others are discussed more fully in the section entitled “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 as filed with the SEC on May 7, 2010 which “Risk Factors” discussion is incorporated by reference in this press release. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the future. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s estimates or views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

PAREXEL is a registered trademark of PAREXEL International Corporation, and Perceptive Informatics is a trademark of Perceptive Informatics, Inc. All other names or marks may be registered trademarks or trademarks of PAREXEL International Corporation, Perceptive Informatics, Inc. or their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged.

SOURCE PAREXEL International Corporation