"Scrip's 'Best CRO' Award is designed to acknowledge the critical role that CROs play in drug development, and is always a very fiercely fought category. Quintiles impressed our judges to claim the trophy for the second year running, with its commitment to innovation, particularly, with Infosario Safety System. It remains the CRO to beat," said Mr Mike Ward, chief content officer for Datamonitor Healthcare and Scrip Intelligence, the sponsor of Scrip Awards.

Also, the Best Technological Development in Clinical Trials Award recognized Quintiles' Infosario Safety System. On this, Mr Richard Thomas, CIO, Quintiles, commented, "We're delighted to receive this recognition for Quintiles Infosario Safety - the result of our vision to provide a common drug safety platform for the industry. Adding best practices and Quintiles' deep development expertise makes this platform truly transformational."

Mr Ward further added, "Scrip's best technological development in clinical trials award recognizes the fundamental importance of using the most sophisticated platforms to leverage data captured during clinical studies. With Infosario Safety System, Quintiles was one of 13 other entries and the judges recognized the company's cross-industry thinking in designing a product that the whole industry could use, as well as its cost savings and the step forward in patient safety that it delivers."

Commenting on the occasion, Quintiles' president of clinical development, Ms Paula Brown Stafford said, "It is an honor to be recognized once again for our sustained leadership in the sector. I'd like to dedicate this prestigious award to Quintiles' employees worldwide - the true foundation of our business."

The Scrip Awards acknowledge excellence in the biopharmaceutical industry, judged by an independent panel of 15 life sciences experts. The 9th annual awards ceremony was held in London, UK.