subject: Charles River Clinical Services And Nwms Partner [print this page] Charles River Clinical Services has forged a working alliance with Northwest Medical Specialties (NWMS), conducting Phase I-II studies of drugs in development for cancer patients. NWMS ten oncologists have built one of the largest cancer specialty practices in the metropolitan Seattle-Tacoma area. In addition, NWMS has extensive clinical research experience, with a full-time dedicated research team of physicians, nurses, coordinators and other staff necessary for successful oncology clinical trials.
Charles River brings to the partnership our distinctive capabilities in complex clinical pharmacology studies supported by physician, pharmacy and nursing staff experienced in acute hospital care and clinical operations teams that have conducted multiple studies in cardiac safety, drug-drug interactions and radio labeled drugs. The built-to-suit Special Studies Unit at our Tacoma site is ideal for patient studies, scaled to provide a comfortable, quiet environment with personal support by dedicated professional staff and the space for a family member to share each patient's room.
Recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory changes, in particular, are prompting radio labeled "mass balance" bioavailability and metabolite identification studies of new oncology drugs. This provided the initial impetus for Charles River and NWMS to collaborate in offering this unique service for oncology drug development programs. Charles River conducts the specialized radio labeled drug studies, which enables NWMS physicians to offer drugs in development to cancer patients who have limited treatment options. Additionally, both NWMS and Charles River recognize opportunities for a wider range of Phase I-II research and benefits to patients in their care.
Charles River and NWMS completed our first collaborative study this past summer, which was fully enrolled in less than one month, ahead of the sponsor's anticipated timelines.
