Asia offers big discounts to drug developers

A group of analysts estimate that Singapore, Malaysia, China and Indonesia offer a cost advantage on clinical research work that ranges from 30 percent to 70 percent when compared to similar work in the U.S. The report, from First Clinical Research, underscores what we've come to believe for some time: Asia will emerge as a central player in testing and manufacturing new drugs. In this market, says the report, low cost providers are expected to set the prices. You can also expect a dramatic growth in online tools that will help clinical researchers manage drug trials on a global basis.

- here's the release