Medidata Solutions (NASDAQ: MDSO), a leading global provider of SaaS-based clinical development solutions, today announced that South Korean contract research organization (CRO) LSK Global PS has joined Medidata’s ASPire to Win® channel partner program for CROs and other service providers. With this partnership, LSK becomes Medidata’s second Korean partner to offer a full suite of services supporting the Medidata Rave® electronic data capture (EDC) and clinical data management (CDM) solution to its clinical research customers.

Founded in 2000, Seoul-based LSK is a full-service CRO focused on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of Korean clinical trials. In preparation for upcoming data management regulations from the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) expected to go into effect in 2011, LSK joined Medidata’s channel partner program to deliver Rave to sponsors who will be under new pressure to streamline clinical trial processes in Korea.

"We anticipate our partnership with Medidata will help drive global expansion by reinforcing our reputation as a quality-driven CRO dedicated to meeting high regulatory standards," said Young-jack Lee, president, LSK. "Medidata’s global reputation and experience in emerging markets, as well as its leadership in delivering localized services and regulatory compliance, makes this partnership an obvious choice as we prepare for the KFDA regulations and continue to improve the quality of clinical trials."

With this partnership, LSK can now implement and support Rave across all trial phases, sizes and locations and offer sponsors and investigators the ability to reduce delays and errors through faster query resolution and real-time access to trial data. Medidata’s global presence and localized resources, including eLearning, also simplify training and reduce challenges that often arise with getting sites up and running in global trials.

"Korea is not only a key emerging market for global trials, but with these upcoming regulations, it’s also on the verge of a clinical research revolution," said Graham Bunn, vice president, global partnerships, Medidata Solutions. "With this partnership, LSK has demonstrated its dedication to preparing Korean sponsors for increasing standards in clinical trial data management, and we look forward to working with them to evolve clinical research processes in the region."

Medidata first announced its channel partner program in April 2005 to enable select CROs and other service providers to offer Medidata Rave implementation services. With the addition of LSK, the program has grown to include 31 partners, ranging from smaller clinical consultancies to large, global CROs.