Merge Healthcare Successfully Deploys New Global Clinical Trial Solution

Merge Healthcare (NASDAQ: MRGE) has successfully deployed its etrials eDiary 5.0 platform to conduct a global Phase II urology clinical trial involving 750 patients for one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Merge was awarded the project because of its eDiary technology, experience in global ePRO (electronic patient reported outcomes) trials and ability to manage the complex logic required by this study. Underway in 22 countries on 3 continents and in 34 languages, the trial also utilizes Merge’s new eDiary Inventory Module to track shipping and supply of study devices in real-time.

Patient reported information is increasingly critical to the success of a clinical trial, but the data is prone to subjectivity, and is difficult to economically collect in a timely and scientifically valid manner. Handheld devices that upload patient-entered responses in real time into centralized electronic repositories provide fast and accurate data to clinical trials managers and can reduce overall trial costs. Merge has conducted hundreds of global ePRO trials and can provide solutions optimized to meet the needs of each individual trial and sponsor.

“This is the first study deployed on our new ruggedized handheld device platform and version 5.0 software, which builds on our 9-years of experience providing eDiaries using the Windows Mobile® operating system,” says Jon DeVries, Merge President. “The selection of etrials eDiary for this very large trial is the latest validation of our expertise in deploying state-of-the-art eDiary devices in complex global trials. In combination with our integrated Web-based etrials Synchronized Intelligence suite of solutions, which also includes electronic data capture (EDC) and interactive voice and Web response (IVR / IWR) technologies, Merge can provide clinical trials sponsors with the customized tools they need to conduct clinically and financially successful studies.”

Merge Healthcare develops solutions that automate healthcare data and diagnostic workflow to enable a better electronic record of the patient experience, and to enhance product development for health IT, device and pharmaceutical companies. Merge products, ranging from standards-based development toolkits to sophisticated clinical applications, have been used by healthcare providers, vendors and researchers worldwide for over 20 years.

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