vivoPharm signs oncology partner for US

South Australia's vivoPharm has signed a partnership deal with a German oncology testing company to expand its range of services offered to US cancer researchers.

vivoPharm, a contract research organisation, has agreed to a co-marketing partnership with Germany's Experimental Pharmacology & Oncology (EPO).

Under the arrangement, vivoPharm is entitled to provide EPO's collection of primary patient-derived tumours to US cancer research institutions.

The service set complements vivoPharm's existing portfolio of specialised predictive tumour models.

According to vivoPharm CEO Ralf Brandt, primary patient-derived tumours have the potential to significantly further cancer research in the US.

“US-based drug developers will have a new, clinically-relevant method for validating drug candidates for cancer treatment,” Brandt said.

As part of the arrangement, vivoPharm plans to promote primary patient-derived tumours at US conferences and trade shows, starting with the American Association of Cancer Researcher's annual meeting in March.

Brandt co-founded vivoPharm in Adelaide in 2003. The company specialises in conducting studies to guide drug development and file IND applications.

vivoPharm has been serving the US market since it opened an office in Pennsylvania around a year ago.

The financial terms of the partnership agreement have not been disclosed.