Who We Are

General Information

PRA International is an independent Contract Research Organization (CRO). We work with pharmaceutical companies to help them develop new drugs. This research conforms to the highest international regulations and the highest quality standards. PRA is one of the world’s leading clinical development organizations with more than 2,700 employees worldwide providing reliable service delivery, program-level therapeutic expertise, easy global access to knowledge and involved senior management to our customers. PRA International has clinics in the USA (Lenexa), Netherlands (Groningen, Zuidlaren), as well as throughout Europe. Services include phase I and Phase II research.

Clinical Research at PRA International

Human research for drug development exists in four phases:

• Phase I studies are primarily concerned with assessing the drug's safety. This initial phase of testing is generally first in man, and is done in a small number of healthy volunteers (20 to 100). The study is designed to determine what happens to the drug in the human body, how it is absorbed, metabolized, and excreted. A phase I study will investigate side effects that occur as dosage levels are increased.
• Phase II/III: This phase of testing may last from several months to two years, and involve up to several hundred patients. This phase is done to test drug effectiveness.
• Phase IV: This final phase of testing is done to compare a drug with other drugs already on the market. Studies are often designed to monitor a drug’s long-term effectiveness and optimal use. Post-marketing studies to delineate additional information including the drug's risks, benefits, and optimal use.

PRA International conducts research in Phase I and Phase II. These studies are performed in our own clinics in the USA and Europe.

Cooperation with the Dutch University Medical Center Groningen

Since 2001 PRA International is co-operating with the Dutch University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) for Phase IIa research (studies with small amounts of subjects).

 

 

Bio Analytical Research at PRA International

Besides clinical research, PRA International has a Bio-Analytical Laboratory. This service is of great importance as a total product for the Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical industry. Samples can be analyzed from clinical studies at PRA International or others. A wide variety of analytical and biological testing is available, and we are able to exceed client expectations consistently with our laboratory services. The combination of high medical and bio-analytical expertise makes PRA International a unique partner in the market and a very attractive partner to pharmaceutical companies for Clinical Development.

The Future of PRA International

PRA International’s goal is to conduct more Phase I/II studies, and to be the best clinical development organization in the world. One of the goals for 2007 is to expand our Lenexa clinic from 20 to 70 beds. Also we will open more clinics in Europe and Asia. The company’s goal is to create a professional environment that attracts, develops, and retains outstanding employees who are committed to personal career growth in the clinical development arena and delivering high quality services in a team environment. A culture of continuous improvement and innovation, and a staff that constantly seeks better skills, methods, and approaches to problem solving are important to the company’s success.