Singapore: China's Peking University Clinical Research Institute (PUCRI) recently announced the expansion of its partnership with Medidata, a global provider of cloud based solutions for clinical research.

The partnership aims at accelerating drug development and operational efficiency among Chinese drugmakers through the adoption of the Medidata Clinical Cloud and eclinical technologies.

Mr Weigang Fang, vice president, PUCRI, said, "In China, paper-based clinical trials are still mainstream, especially in Chinese domestic companies. By working with Medidata, we look forward to further advancing clinical development in the country, serving as a bridge between globally-leading technology and innovative drug development."

PUCRI had inked a deal with Medidata in 2009 to promote e-clinical services in China. Medidata expects that the deal will increase the number of people trained in e-clinical services in China and accelerate the drug approval and development process.

Mr Takeru Yamamoto, Medidata's managing director of the Asia-Pacific region, said, "We are thrilled to be working more closely with PUCRI to bring our globally-recognized cloud-based technology to China. Leveraging PUCRI's clinical trial expertise will enable us to serve more life sciences organizations in China and accelerate drug development, allowing patients to access new therapies faster, both from the local market and around the world."