Ecron Acunova (EA), a leading CRO with presence in Europe and Asia announced a joint venture with Jamjuree Innovations Co Ltd., (JJI) Thailand.
JJI is a 100 per cent subsidiary of Chulalongkorn University Intellectual Property Foundation and enjoys strong ties with the University’s Faculty of Medicine, including Clinical Research Center (Chula CRC). The joint venture CRO is based in Bangkok and will conduct clinical research in key South East Asian countries under the name Ecron Acunova Company Ltd (EACL). Dr Eugene Kroon MD is appointed CEO of EACL.
The two-decade-old EA has the expertise in phase I-IV trials, PK/PD services, clinical trial laboratory and clinical data management on a global scale. It has three centres of excellence located at Berlin for oncology, Frankfurt for diagnostic imaging agents and Bangalore for stem cell therapy
Chula CRC has the experience in PK/PD, clinical trial laboratory, data management and HIV research in Thailand and SEA region. EACL combines the local knowledge with global experience and aspires to become a leading CRO of SEA.
“Expanding on clinical research knowhow and regional investigator networks already present in Chulalongkorn University, JJI has built expertise in regional quality clinical research over the last three years, successfully conducting clinical trials for international sponsors in Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam, stated Dr Kiat Ruxrungtham, Professor of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and Chairman, EACL.
“We have established our expertise across Europe, India and USA as a top quality CRO. Southeast Asia is a key market. As sponsors increasingly include South East Asia in drug development programmes it is imperative for us to establish our operations in collaboration with regional experts like Chulalongkorn University, stated D A Prasanna, Founder and Chairman of Ecron Acunova
Dr Eugene Kroon, CEO of EACL, said “Ecron Acunova’s Center of Excellence to conduct nutritional studies and studies in HIV will be setup at Bangkok. EACL currently offers services in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia and intends to expand its operation to other key countries in SEA”.
JJI is a holding company 100 per cent owned by Chulalongkorn University Intellectual Property Institute Foundation. JJI is the investment arm of Chulalongkorn University.
Chulalongkorn University’s in clinical research: University’s contribution in clinical research has been recognized worldwide. Some of leading assignments are Prof Yong Poovorawan’s work in Avian influenza, and HIV research conducted by Prof Praphan Phanuphak and Prof Kiat Ruxrungtham. The University’s has a 24 bed PK/PD facility, a central testing laboratory accredited by College of American Pathologists and a diagnostic imaging research centre. Toxicology research capability for drug development is available in the large animal facility in Nakhon Patom and a primate facility at Saraburi.
Thailand has developed into an important life sciences hub with many global pharma companies opting the location for drug development. In a recent Princeton University Study, Thailand was the country of choice amongst many countries including Malaysia and Singapore.