	Parexel has announced it has completed the acquisition of Model Answers, a consultancy firm based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Model Answers provides pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) modeling, simulation and analysis services to customers in the life sciences industry to help increase the likelihood of successful drug development. As part of the acquisition, the Model Answers’ specialized staff have joined Parexel’s growing Clinical Pharmacology, Modeling and Simulation team, bringing a proven approach to PK/PD modeling and customer collaboration.

	“Modeling and simulation have quickly become a valuable part of the drug development process, helping to reduce risk and increase the likelihood of success by predicting outcomes that can result in a more informed trial design,” said Sy Pretorius, MD Executive Vice President and Chief Medical & Scientific Officer. “By leveraging Model Answers’ proven approach to modeling and simulation, Parexel will expand our ability to leverage this innovative approach, helping our customers to maximize their resources by improving understanding and decision-making at every stage of development.”

	Founded in 2005, Model Answers has extensive experience working across many therapeutic areas-including oncology, neurology and rare diseases-while also providing important access to the growing Asia/Pacific market. The company has significant experience developing preclinical PK and PD models for effectiveness and neutropenia, scaling to first-in-human studies, then supporting Phase I through to NDA submission. Model Answers’ team of Modelers, Clinical Pharmacologists, Data Managers and Programmers has supported numerous successful filing activities to the FDA, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) and the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA). 

	“Model Answers was founded on the idea that by providing highly specialized modeling capabilities in a way that is collaborative and efficient for customers, we can increase the likelihood of success in drug development,” said Bruce Green, PhD, Founder and CEO, Model Answers. “We are excited to join an organization with global capabilities where, as part of a larger combined team, we can bring our unique modeling and simulation approach to more life sciences companies, ultimately helping bring new medicines to patients sooner.” 

	Parexel will also leverage the proven Model Answers Process, including best practices and proprietary software solutions that support modeling and simulation. These include Model Answers’ client-interactive tools that drive both collaboration and client ownership of complex models to ultimately help them make informed clinical data management and drug development decisions.