Spacelabs Medical Data has entered into a strategic partnership with Catalyst Pharma Group Inc. The Spacelabs Medical Data division provides regulatory-compliant core ECG, Holter and other cardiac research services for Phase I - IV clinical drug trials. Catalyst is a full service contract research organization (CRO) focused on helping Asian- and European-based pharmaceutical companies with limited presence in the US develop their products and navigate regulatory channels in obtaining FDA approval.

Spacelabs Medical Data will provide core ECG services for Catalyst's clients at its Healthcare Discoveries Inc (HD) Phase I research unit in San Antonio, Texas, as well as supporting Catalyst Pharmaceutical Research, LLC (CPR) Phase II - IV clinical trial division, for cardiac and blood pressure safety and efficacy. HD will not only be the Phase I testing site for Spacelabs Medical Data's sponsors, but through CPR, will also provide full-service CRO assistance as part of its offering, release from Spacelabs said.

"This alliance will benefit not only Spacelabs Medical Data and Catalyst offerings to the industry, but will also provide a unified end-to-end solution for our mutual clients," said Spacelabs Medical Data's General Manager Marc Hagan. "The combination of each organization's capabilities will enable us to expand the services we can confidently offer to our clients." Catalyst CEO Richard Anthony agrees, "Our expertise and experience are complementary," he said, "enabling each of us to provide new and proven resources for our mutual and prospective clients. Both companies are known for their regulatory-sound, budget-responsible approach to their business. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship."