Thermo Fisher Scientific, Eli Lilly expand clinical trial materials supply chain relationship

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, and biopharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY), announced today that they have expanded their clinical trial materials supply chain relationship. As part of a new five-year agreement, the Fisher Clinical Services business of Thermo Fisher will take over responsibility for Lilly’s in-house clinical trial materials manufacturing, packaging and labeling operations on-site at the Lilly Technology Center – North in Indianapolis. This transition is expected to be completed in the summer of 2010.

“Transitioning work like the manufacturing, packaging and labeling of clinical trial materials to Fisher Clinical Services helps us also reach Lilly’s corporate goals of reducing the costs of drug development and speeding innovative medicines to patients.”

Additionally, by the end of 2010, Fisher Clinical Services will handle the distribution of clinical trial materials for Lilly throughout North America. The agreement includes Fisher Clinical Services’ purchase of Lilly’s clinical trial manufacturing and packaging equipment. This relationship was expanded to support Lilly’s new operating model, which is designed to speed the delivery of innovative medicines to patients while helping Lilly to reduce some of its fixed costs. Lilly employees impacted by this expanded agreement and qualified individuals in the Indianapolis community will have the opportunity to apply for roles with Fisher Clinical Services.

“We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Lilly by embarking on this truly innovative collaboration in support of their clinical trials materials supply chain,” said Marc N. Casper, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. “This agreement offers both companies many opportunities for process improvement and technological innovation, all with the purpose of assuring that patients around the world receive their clinical trial medicines and supplies quickly and efficiently. We are also excited to have access to a highly skilled workforce in Indianapolis to enhance our highly regarded team of employees.”

“In addition to establishing a first-ever presence in Indianapolis for Fisher Clinical Services, a business unit of Fortune 300 company Thermo Fisher Scientific, this expanded relationship will also extend some employment opportunities with Fisher Clinical Services to those impacted by the transition,” said Bart Peterson, senior vice president corporate affairs and communications for Lilly.

“Lilly and Fisher Clinical Services have a two-decade history of working well together and we believe this expanded agreement is the best way to ensure that high quality clinical trial material is getting to clinical trial sites around the world as efficiently as possible, while also leveraging our FIPNet (fully integrated pharmaceutical network) strategy of collaboration in those areas that are not considered strategic or core for Lilly to own,” said Ralph Lipp, PhD, vice president pharmaceutical sciences research and development for Lilly. “Transitioning work like the manufacturing, packaging and labeling of clinical trial materials to Fisher Clinical Services helps us also reach Lilly’s corporate goals of reducing the costs of drug development and speeding innovative medicines to patients.”