Article 489: Phase I Market Consolidates

• After a year of consolidation, facility building, and some controversy in the phase I market, expect additional acquisition deals in 2007 and growth to hold up in the low double digits. Industry experts estimate that the percentage of phase I work outsourced to CROs has increased to at least half of the phase I market. Several phase I units have been bought by large CROs as they increase their offerings and add global service.

Article 490: 2006 in Review: Industry Adapts and Adopts

• CenterWatch reviews a year in which significant strides were made in the clinical trials industry even as it got past some hurdles of negative press concerning patient safety issues.

Article 491: Romania and Bulgaria Join EU

• This month marks the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the European Union (EU), which gives both countries all the rights and obligations deriving from EU membership, including the implementation of the EU Clinical Trials Directive.

Article 492: Eye On: Pain

• The treatment of pain is a major healthcare and research priority. There are about 85 million people in the U.S. suffering from chronic pain conditions, and about 193 million new cases of acute pain annually. Despite recent advances in understanding pain physiology, currently available classes of analgesics have not changed significantly over the past few decades, and problems of limited efficacy, adverse effects and abuse potential remain.