Singapore: Vietnam Ministry of Health's Administration of Science, Technology and Training (ASTT) has signed an agreement with Quintiles to enhance clinical research in this growing nation of 90 million people.

This collaboration marks a new stage in the ministry's efforts to support the development of new, better therapies for diseases that afflict the populations of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, said Prof. Nguyen Cong Khan, Director, ASTT.

"Quintiles knows how to conduct clinical research to global standards and its experts understand Asia and Vietnam," Prof. Khan said. "By sharing their knowledge and insights, Quintiles can help us develop and execute a long-term plan for improving the quality, scope and breadth of clinical research in Vietnam."

Under the two-year agreement, Quintiles and ASTT will collaborate in forming a larger working group to address a variety of topics, including improved processes for trial management; development of streamlined processes to improve trial efficiency and quality; and training for investigators and ethics committees.

"We've been working with the ministry to provide investigator training and site development since first establishing a presence in Vietnam in 2005," said Dr. Ross Horsburgh, who leads Quintiles' operations in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. "This agreement deepens our commitment to developing medicines here to fight tropical and infection diseases and other conditions that afflict populations in Vietnam and Southeast Asia."