Thermo, Lilly Expand Clinical Pact

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Co. have expanded their clinical trial materials supply chain relationship. As part of a new five-year agreement, the Fisher Clinical Services business of Thermo Fisher will take over for Lilly’s in-house clinical trial materials manufacturing, packaging and labeling operations at Lilly’s Technology Center in Indianapolis. This transition is expected to be complete this summer.

Additionally, Fisher Clinical Services will take over the distribution of clinical trial materials for Lilly throughout North America by the end of 2010. The agreement includes Fisher Clinical Services’ purchase of Lilly’s clinical trial manufacturing and packaging equipment. Lilly employees at the Indianapolis facility will have the opportunity to apply for positions with Fisher Clinical Services.

“We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Lilly by embarking on this truly innovative collaboration in support of their clinical trials materials supply chain,” said Marc N. Casper, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. “This agreement offers both companies many opportunities for process improvement and technological innovation, all with the purpose of assuring that patients around the world receive their clinical trial medicines and supplies quickly and efficiently. We are also excited to have access to a highly skilled workforce in Indianapolis to enhance our highly regarded team of employees.”

“Lilly and Fisher Clinical Services have a two-decade history of working well together and we believe this expanded agreement is the best way to ensure that high quality clinical trial material is getting to trial sites around the world as efficiently as possible, while also leveraging our FIPNet (fully integrated pharmaceutical network) strategy of collaboration in those areas that are not considered strategic or core for Lilly to own,” said Ralph Lipp, Ph.D., vice president Pharmaceutical Sciences R&D for Lilly. “Transitioning work like the manufacturing, packaging and labeling of clinical trial materials to Fisher Clinical Services helps us also reach Lilly’s corporate goals of reducing the costs of drug development and speeding innovative medicines to patients.”

Click here to learn more about Fisher Clinical Services