Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD), a global CRO firm has announced that it has acquired RCT Logic's exclusive license from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) for the portfolio of patents related to its sequential parallel comparison design (SPCD).

SPCD is an alternative method for conducting well-controlled clinical trials. PPD is branding it as Trimentum. It has been effective in studying major depressive disorder (MDD), but is also applicable to other clinical trials.

"Through Trimentum, PPD can offer our clients a clinical trial method that derives more information from fewer patients. As a result, our clients will be able to conduct smaller, more efficient trials in all stages of drug development, enabling more informed investment decisions and accelerating the delivery of much-needed new medicines," said Mr Daniel Burch, PPD vice president of global product development and therapeutic area head for neuroscience. He added, "The pharmaceutical industry and regulatory agencies have long recognized the need for a more robust and efficient option for conducting clinical trials. We anticipate that these and other stakeholders will be receptive to the design and apply it to appropriate clinical settings."

Mr Matthias Bowman, founder, RCT logic said, "Having one of the world's leading contract research organizations continue to build on the success of SPCD is a great achievement for RCT Logic. We are excited that PPD will be able to help its clients accelerate the pace and reduce the cost of developing new medical therapies through the use of MGH's patented SPCD technology. We are particularly enthusiastic about the implications for patients who are waiting for important new treatments."