Medidata and Cognizant have entered into a strategic alliance to offer life science clients comprehensive solutions that leverage the market’s leading cloud platform with world-class business and technology services. This provides pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device companies, contract research organizations (CROs), sites and investigators with digital capabilities to facilitate a fast start to clinical trials, simplify operational complexities and drive digital transformation.

As part of the multi-year agreement, Cognizant will develop and deliver a comprehensive set of managed services and solutions specific to Medidata’s platform. Cognizant’s expertise in business process, technology and digital services (including biostats, automation and help desks) will combine with solutions across the Medidata platform, such as Randomization and Trial Supply Management. This will create clinical capabilities as-a-service to help address the increasing complexities and global scale of clinical trials.

As an example of how Medidata is providing more choices for customers, Medidata Site Payments will seamlessly connect with Cognizant’s Shared Investigator Platform (SIP) -- the industry standard platform designed to improve the experience of investigators, sites and sponsors.

Clinical trials are becoming more complex to implement and conduct due to big data, AI and the desire for more targeted therapies. The professional services component of this alliance provides life science companies with technology and expertise to architect, implement and optimize studies.

“Most life science companies have stitched together multiple legacy solutions and are in dire need for a clinical refresh. This partnership allows us to offer and manage the most comprehensive platform and suite of services for our clients so that they can focus on the science rather than operational complexities,” said Bhaskar Sambasivan, senior vice president and global head of life sciences at Cognizant.

“This alliance exemplifies the power of Medidata’s technology combined with the expertise of the broadest and most advanced partner ecosystem, which we have built in life sciences,” said Tarek Sherif, chairman and chief executive officer, Medidata. “We are deepening our partnership with Cognizant to help customers around the globe fully realize the value of digital transformation.”