New relationship enhances ability to leverage therapeutic expertise, data access, study startup times
Wilmington, N.C. – Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC (PPD), a leading global contract research organization (CRO), today announced that it has entered into a collaboration with Frenova Renal Research, a leading drug and medical device contract clinical development services provider dedicated exclusively to renal research.
“The opportunity to collaborate with Frenova enhances our ability to connect our clients with researchers recognized as world leaders in the field of nephrology and further strengthens our industry-leading global site and patient capabilities by helping to deliver seamless access to patients, sites and data sources,” said Ulrich Zoeller, vice president, project management, general medicine for PPD. “Frenova’s access to more than two-thirds of all U.S. nephrology patients, coupled with the breadth of its resources and experience in renal research, will enable PPD to continue to build on its already strong presence in nephrology trials.”
As part of Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) – a leading provider of kidney care products and services, and a network of more than 2,200 dialysis centers nationwide – Frenova maintains a world-class network of resources encompassing 260 research sites with 450 principal investigators and access to more than 183,000 active ESRD patients and 390,000 active CKD patients.
The breadth and depth of Frenova’s data access is rooted in FMCNA’s unmatched ability to gather and analyze immense amounts of patient data from within the company’s own care ecosystem. The company has collected data on more than 1 million patients, including data on more than 250 million dialysis treatments, more than 1 billion medication administrations and more than 1 billion laboratory results.
“Our collaboration with PPD expands the reach of our nephrology experts and broadens the impact of our invaluable treatment data in clinical trials,” said Kurt Mussina, general manager, Frenova. “We are pleased to join forces with PPD through our shared commitment of improving the lives of patients living with kidney disease, around the world, through the advancement of renal research.”
Through this relationship, PPD will offer its clients the therapeutic expertise of Frenova’s global nephrology experts, as well as access to F1RST Up™ (Frenova Rapid STart Up), Frenova’s exclusive alliance of research sites designed to streamline, initiate and enroll clinical studies dramatically faster than industry norms with just-in-time patient recruitment.
Frenova is active in more than 260 sites across the United States, 15 of which are the proprietary F1RST Up sites with a strong track record of patient recruitment and retention. The F1RST Up sites use coordinated research processes that enable faster site startup and streamlined study execution.
About PPD
PPD is a leading global contract research organization providing comprehensive, integrated drug development, laboratory and lifecycle management services. Our clients and partners include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, academic and government organizations. With offices in 47 countries and more than 18,500 professionals worldwide, PPD applies innovative technologies, therapeutic expertise and a firm commitment to quality to help clients and partners bend the cost and time curve of drug development to deliver life-changing therapies that improve health. For more information, visit www.ppdi.com.
About Frenova Renal Research
Frenova is the world’s only drug and medical device contract clinical development services provider dedicated exclusively to renal research. As a Fresenius Medical Care North America company, Frenova manages a networked system of clinical research assets and resources including 450 principal investigators and 260 research sites with clinical trials in kidney disease and its adjacent medical conditions. For more information, visit www.FrenovaRenalResearch.com.
Phase III SELECT-GCA Trial Results Lead to FDA Approval of Rinvoq for Giant Cell Arteritis
April 30th 2025Rinvoq (upadacitinib) becomes the first oral JAK inhibitor approved by the FDA for the treatment of giant cell arteritis in adults, following robust data from the Phase III SELECT-GCA trial demonstrating its efficacy in achieving sustained remission and reducing glucocorticoid exposure.
Improving Relationships and Diversifying the Site Selection Process
April 17th 2025In this episode of the Applied Clinical Trials Podcast, Liz Beatty, co-founder and chief strategy officer, Inato, discusses a number of topics around site engagement including community-based sites, the role of technology in improving site/sponsor relationships, how increased operational costs are impacting the industry, and more.
Behind the Buzz: Why Clinical Research Leaders Flock to SCOPE Summit
February 7th 2025In this episode, we meet with Micah Lieberman, Executive Conference Director for SCOPE Summit (Summit for Clinical Ops Executives) at Cambridge Innovation Institute. We will dive deep into the critical role of collaboration within the clinical research ecosystem. How do we bring together diverse stakeholders—sponsors, CROs, clinical trial tech innovators, suppliers, patients, sites, advocacy organizations, investors, and non-profits—to share best practices in trial design, program planning, innovation, and clinical operations? We’ll explore why it’s vital for thought leaders to step beyond their own organizations and learn from others, exchanging ideas that drive advancements in clinical research. Additionally, we’ll discuss the pivotal role of scientific conferences like SCOPE Summit in fostering these essential connections and collaborations, helping shape the future of clinical trials. Join us as we uncover how collective wisdom and cross-industry partnerships are transforming the landscape of clinical research.
Landmark Phase III Trial Shows Keytruda Significantly Improves Event-Free Survival in LA-HNSCC
April 28th 2025Interim KEYNOTE-689 trial data show that perioperative Keytruda significantly lowers the risk of disease progression or recurrence in resectable, locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, marking the first major clinical advance for this patient population in more than two decades.