 (known outside the United States and Canada as MSD) and 

  today announced that they have entered into an alliance by which PAREXEL will provide strategic access to global clinical development services for designated biosimilar candidates to Merck BioVentures. Merck BioVentures, a division of Merck, is focused on the delivery of high quality biosimilars to the patients that need them.
 
"PAREXEL has extensive experience with biosimilar development, and we truly understand the scientific complexities, and regulatory pathways involved," said Josef von Rickenbach, chairman and chief executive officer of PAREXEL.

"We are committed to working with Merck BioVentures to assist in advancing its biosimilar portfolio in this rapidly developing market segment for the benefit of patients worldwide.

 
Under the terms of the agreement, PAREXEL will provide Merck BioVentures with strategic access to a broad range of regulatory strategy and clinical development planning capabilities for the development of certain broad classes of biosimilars across various therapeutic areas, including exclusivity for certain candidates.  The agreement also provides for the establishment of a dedicated Merck BioVentures unit within the PAREXEL organization. Further details of the agreement were not disclosed.
 
"Through this agreement, Merck BioVentures has secured broad strategic access to PAREXEL's proven biosimilar clinical development experience," said Michael Kamarck, president of Merck BioVentures. "This agreement positions Merck BioVentures for success with partner that has the expertise and resources to conduct clinical development of our diverse portfolio of candidates to allow timely delivery of products to the marketplace."