Covance ($CVD) is teaming up with Frenova Renal Research, an arm of dialysis magnate Fresenius Medical Care, tapping the organization's expansive database to spotlight the most effective treatments for patients with kidney ailments.
Under the deal, Frenova will hand over a trove of real-world data on sufferers of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease, allowing Covance to apply its analytics know-how to better understand treatment patterns, patient adherence and the safety and efficacy of on-the-market treatments.
The CRO will then relay that information to its biopharma clients, allowing them to tailor their trial designs and R&D efforts to address real unmet needs in the renal space, Covance said. The ultimate goal is to facilitate new treatments for the worlds millions of kidney disease sufferers, whose post-diagnosis life expectancy is just 5 years on average, according to the company.
"With this unique combination of data and analytics, we can look at how patients actually use medicines day-to-day, which includes the reality of less-than-perfect adherence," Covance Vice President Marc Ginsky said. "We can then explore real-world safety and effectiveness, comparing therapies head-to-head and in the full range of patients, not just those who meet narrow inclusion and exclusion criteria."
The deal is a boon to Covance's post-market segment, the company said, which has a particular focus for the CRO. In May, Covance bought U.K. market-access specialist Medaxial for an undisclosed sum, looking to bolster revenue for a business that has charted consistent year-over-year growth.
Meanwhile, the New Jersey CRO posted roughly 8% growth last quarter, pulling in $639 million in revenue.
- read the statement