News 2009

PRA International Selects Quintiq to Optimize Quality and Increase Planning Efficiencies

's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, December 09, 2009

Quintiq, a leading provider of Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) solutions, today announced that PRA International (PRA), a preeminent clinical research organization, has selected Quintiq to provide an advanced planning system to plan the acceptance of new clinical studies and allocate resources more effectively and efficiently for its phase I studies. Initially, PRA will implement the Quintiq APS software at its Clinical Pharmacology Centers located in Lenexa Kansas, United States and Groningen, The Netherlands for the execution of its phase I clinical studies.

Phase I studies present unique planning challenges from the set up of study conduct through study execution to delivery of the final outcomes to the client. Because the tests conducted in phase I studies are time sensitive and run in short timeframes (usually minutes), specialized equipment for specific functions ran by uniquely qualified staff is required. PRA believes that the use of Quintiq APS will provide multi-project optimization as well as the flexibility to respond to last minute changes desired by its clients. Accurate planning will further secure subject safety and improve the quality of the outcome of these studies while providing value to its clients.

One Platform for All Planning Needs
To solve the complex planning puzzle associated with the details of conducting its Early Development Services clinical trials, PRA sought to implement the most powerful planning and scheduling software available, and began investigating high-quality, cost-effective advanced planning systems. The selected system needed to provide intelligent visibility, decision support, and automatic optimization of resource scheduling.

After a competitive evaluation process, including a proof of concept test, PRA selected Quintiq. PRA was impressed with the flexibility of the Quintiq planning platform, which allows the system to be configured to match any business planning requirement. PRA will now have one integrated platform, which covers all of its operational and technical planning and scheduling needs. Quintiq was the sole contender with these capabilities.

"The flexibility of the Quintiq planning system is very impressive,” commented Jeannie Inge, Vice President Information Technology at PRA. “Quintiq was the only contender able to adapt specific rules and fulfill all our planning requirements. We challenged them and they succeeded."

Arjen Heeres, COO at Quintiq added, "While Quintiq supports a wide variety of corporations in many sectors, we view serving the health-care industry as especially important. The new PRA contract allows us to demonstrate our commitment to supporting this vital industry."

The project will begin next month with product launch expected in the spring of 2010. Quintiq's North America Business Unit will conduct the implementation.

About PRA International
PRA International conducts clinical trials in more than 75 countries across 6 continents and provides services through all phases of clinical development. PRA performs studies in all therapeutic areas, with specialization in oncology, neurosciences, respiratory/allergy, cardiovascular and infectious diseases. PRA has supported over 2,100 clinical trials through its 36 global offices.

PRA’s Early Development Services group provides a full range of Phase I-IIa services with 228 beds in the United States, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. PRA’s GLP-compliant Bioanalytical Laboratory in the Netherlands has been providing a comprehensive range of services to pharma and biotech clients for nearly 25 years.

To learn more about PRA International, please visit www.PRAinternational.com, email Endpoints@PRAintl.com or call our Global Headquarters at +1 (919) 786-8200.

About Quintiq
Quintiq provides advanced planning, scheduling and supply chain management software solutions. This fast-growing company, established in 1997, offers software for planning and optimizing complex business processes throughout the enterprise. The company's headquarters are located in the Netherlands, with subsidiaries in Australia, China, Finland Germany, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and the USA. With 500+ implementations, Quintiq is in use in 68 countries. For more information: www.quintiq.com