NEWS RELEASE（Detail）

March 21, 2024
EPNextS, Inc.
EPS Corporation
EP-SOGO Co., Ltd.

EPNextS Group will collaborate with Frontage Laboratories, Inc. for Early Phase Clinical Trial and Clinical Site Management in the United States to Improve “Drug Lag” and “Drug Loss” Issues in Japan.

EPNextS Group, a Japanese based leading provider of clinical trial solutions, and Frontage Laboratories, Inc., a US based full-service contract research organization (CRO), have announced their collaboration aimed at addressing the challenges of "Drug Lag" and "Drug Loss" in Japan. This collaboration will focus on optimizing early-phase clinical trial management and clinical site operations in the United States, with the goal of streamlining drug development processes and accelerating access to innovative treatments in Japan.
Japan's pharmaceutical market faces significant hurdles related to the lag in the introduction of new drugs compared to other developed countries, often resulting in delays in patient access to life-saving medications. Additionally, stringent regulatory requirements and complex clinical trial procedures contribute to drug loss, where promising therapies fail to reach the market due to inefficiencies in the development process.
By leveraging EPNextS Group's expertise in clinical trial solutions and Frontage's extensive experience in early-phase drug development and clinical research services, the collaboration aims to overcome these challenges and drive positive change in the pharmaceutical landscape.

"We are excited to join forces with Frontage to address the critical issues of drug lag and drug loss in Japan," said Tatsuma Nagaoka, Representative Director and President of EPNextS. "This collaboration underscores our commitment to advancing clinical research and improving patient access to innovative therapies. By combining our strengths, we aim to streamline the drug development process and bring novel treatments to market more efficiently."

EPS Corporation, led by Takehisa Yamada, Representative Director and President, is a wholly owned subsidiary of EPNextS. EPS and Frontage will conduct collaborative business development activities in Japan and the United States to expand market reach and conduct early phase clinical trials in Japanese and non-Japanese populations in the United States. EPS provides Project Management services in this collaboration for Japanese Clients. Another wholly owned subsidiary of EPNextS, EP-SOGO Co., Ltd., led by Representative Director and President, Kenichi Yamamoto, will cooperate with Frontage to develop overseas training programs. In the future, EP-SOGO and Frontage will provide Site Management services in the United States by using Japanese Clinical Research Coordinators (CRC), who have the hospitality acumen and expertise that is standard in Japan, through mutually developed training programs.
Frontage brings a wealth of experience in early-phase clinical research, including bioanalytical services, clinical pharmacology, and clinical operations. Through this collaboration, Frontage will work closely with EPNextS Group and its subsidiaries to optimize clinical trial processes, enhance site management capabilities, and ensure timely and efficient clinical trial execution in the United States. Frontage services will include data management, biostatistical programming, pharmacokinetic analyses, and medical writing.

"We are pleased to build this collaboration with EPNextS Group to address the pressing challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry," said Abdul Mutlib, CEO of Frontage. "Together, we will leverage our collective expertise to accelerate the development and commercialization of new therapies, ultimately benefiting patients in Japan and beyond."

The collaboration between EPNextS Group and Frontage represents a significant step forward in addressing the complexities of drug development and regulatory processes, with the potential to improve patient outcomes and drive innovation in healthcare.

About EPNextS Group

EPNextS Group is a leading provider of comprehensive clinical trial solutions, offering a range of services to support pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in accelerating drug development. With a focus on innovation and efficiency, EPNextS Group is committed to advancing clinical research and improving patient access to life-saving therapies.

About EPS Corporation

EPS launched its business in 1991 as a Top Tier CRO to comprehensively support clinical studies with a focus on clinical trials and post marketing surveillance. The company proposes new models to satisfy customers’ needs by leveraging its data science expertise and digital technology, cultivated through its extensive track record. These service offerings are anchored in its Trial GATE concept, which acts as the gateway for all clinical trial functions.

About EP-SOGO Co., Ltd.

EP-SOGO started its SMO business in 1999, and currently has contracts with approximately 7,000 Investigators’ sites (medical institutions) and handles clinical trial operations at these sites so clinical trials can be conducted in accordance with ICH-GCP and relevant regulations. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year as a milestone for a new beginning, the company will change its name to "EPLink Co., Ltd." on April 1, 2024. With a renewed commitment, EPLink aims to continuously create new values that contribute to the further improvement of the clinical trial environment and propose the best solutions.

Website:

EPNextS

https://www.epnexts.co.jp/event/en.php

EPS

https://www.epsi-global.com/index.html
https://www.eps.co.jp/en/

EP-SOGO

https://www.epsogo.co.jp/en/

LinkedIn: CRO

https://www.linkedin.com/company/eps.corp/

About Frontage

Frontage is a full-service contract research organization (CRO) dedicated to advancing pharmaceutical research and development. With a focus on early-phase clinical research, bioanalytical services, and clinical pharmacology, Frontage provides integrated solutions to support drug discovery and development programs worldwide.

Website:

Frontage

https://www.frontagelab.com/