Phase Forward Introduces Version 7.2 of Empirica Signal Solution

Phase Forward Introduces Version 7.2 of Empirica Signal Solution
Enhanced Topic Tracker Facilitates Comprehensive Lifecycle Safety Management for Sponsors
WALTHAM, Mass., Jan 21, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Phase Forward (NASDAQ: PFWD), a leading provider of data solutions for clinical trials and drug safety, today announced the availability of version 7.2 of its Empirica(TM) Signal product, a significant new release of the company's flagship signal detection and management software. The Empirica Signal solution is a state-of-the-art data mining and knowledge management tool and a cornerstone component of Phase Forward's Empirica Suite of pharmacovigilance and risk management products.

New features in the Empirica Signal 7.2 solution center on the Topic Tracker module, which was introduced with Empirica Signal 7.0. This module allows safety experts to create records of signals and other topics of interest, including those identified outside the Empirica Signal environment. Users can collect supporting analyses and documentation using configurable signal management workflow capabilities to direct responses.

New Topic Tracker features include added support for Topic actions, linked Topics, additional permissions and administration options for managing workflow configurations, expanded customization options, enhanced quick filters and searching, and new management reports on Topic information.

"Our experience with the new Topic Tracker has added strategic value to our processes and we are looking forward to the benefits it provides," said Fred Schneiweiss, associate director medical safety, Alcon Laboratories, Inc. "Topic Tracker, coupled with the many powerful features of Empirica Signal for signal detection, has enabled us to increase our ability to proactively manage the safety of our products in a controlled, compliant manner throughout the full product lifecycle."

"Empirica Signal 7.2 was specifically designed in response to requests from key clients to provide a more comprehensive management system for tracking and managing safety-related topics of all types for a broader user community - not just those that arise from data mining spontaneous report databases," said Chan Russell, president, Phase Forward's Lincoln Safety Group. "With this release, we believe we are empowering customers to establish a more comprehensive safety management environment that will significantly expand their ability to meet the increased regulatory and safety challenges facing today's pharmaceutical industry."

The Empirica Suite of Products

The Empirica Suite is Phase Forward's complete solution set for pharmacovigilance and risk management. In addition to Empirica Signal, the suite includes Empirica Trace for adverse event data management and reporting, the companion Empirica Gateway product for submission and receipt of data in E2B standard format, and Empirica Study, for signal detection of clinical trials data.

Phase Forward's safety products are used by regulatory authorities, biopharmas, medical device manufacturers and contract research organizations (CROs) of all sizes to implement proactive strategic pharmacovigilance programs. The product family name, Empirica, signifies the importance of empirical data in the decision-making process.

About Phase Forward

Phase Forward is a leading provider of integrated data management solutions for clinical trials and drug safety. Phase Forward's products and services have been utilized in over 10,000 clinical trials involving more than 1,000,000 clinical trial study participants at over 300 organizations and regulatory agencies worldwide including: AstraZeneca, Boston Scientific, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Eli Lilly, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, GlaxoSmithKline, Harvard Clinical Research Institute, Merck Serono, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, PAREXEL International, Procter & Gamble, Quintiles, sanofi-aventis, Schering-Plough Research Institute, Servier, SGS, Tibotec and the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. Additional information about Phase Forward is available at www.phaseforward.com

SOURCE: Phase Forward

Phase ForwardElaine Maynard, [email protected] PR, Inc.Randy Wambold, [email protected]