Phase Forward and Galt Associates Establish Strategic Alliance

Business Wire, Dec 9, 2002

Business Editors/Healthcare/Pharmaceutical Editors/High-Tech Writers

WALTHAM, Mass. & STERLING, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 9, 2002

-- Companies Offer Integrated Solution between Electronic

Clinical Data Management System and

Centralized MedDRA(R) Coding Engine --

Phase Forward Incorporated and Galt Associates, Inc., a leading provider of Web-based compliance and analysis solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, today announced the agreement of a strategic alliance. Through this relationship, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies can now integrate their clinical data managed through Phase Forward's InForm(TM) and Clintrial(TM) solutions with the dsNavigator(TM) enterprise coding and dictionary management platform provided by Galt using a single, comprehensive Web-based environment.

Traditionally, clinical trial sponsors have been forced to use different coding systems for various data management applications that were not linked, had different features and user interfaces, and oftentimes did not fully support the latest version of the MedDRA dictionary. The standard process required manual data extracts from one system to the other adding time and cost to an already expensive clinical trial process. Many sponsors have developed centralized coding departments to ensure consistency across applications and their portfolio of trials. The challenge is to coordinate these centralized solutions with the applications managing the data.

Phase Forward and Galt are now offering sponsors the ability to standardize on one enterprise coding solution by providing an integrated link between their clinical data and their coding engine. The integration will allow customers to bypass the costly processes required to transfer data between different systems for storage and coding.

"Phase Forward is focused on delivering to our customers a comprehensive and fully integrated enterprise solution for clinical and safety data management. Our strategic partners play an essential role in our ability to realize this goal. Galt Associates is widely recognized as the premier provider of coding and dictionary management solutions. They represent the type of partner we are seeking out in our efforts to bring greater value to our shared customers," said Bob Weiler, chief executive officer, Phase Forward. "Together, we are empowering sponsors to standardize on a single coding platform, reduce post-processing costs, simplify their processes, and ultimately, ensure greater regulatory compliance."

Tim Howard, president of Galt Associates, states that "Phase Forward leads the market in clinical data management solutions, and together with our dsNavigator we are extending the value proposition to the market. By leveraging this new integration, customers can realize an even greater return on their investments."

About Galt Associates

Galt Associates is a worldwide drug safety and outcomes company. Galt offers a wide range of software products and scientific services that empower pharmaceutical companies to properly manage, analyze, report, and market the benefits and risks of their products. Galt's DrugSafety.com supports the worldwide pharmacovigilance, outcomes, marketing, research and medical informatics sectors through convenient online resources and access to numerous application suites. For more information about Galt Associates, visit DrugSafety.com, or call Abbe Steel, at 703-433-6106.

About Phase Forward

Phase Forward Incorporated, the leading provider of clinical and safety data management solutions for drug development, is dedicated to helping pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies bring needed drugs and therapies to market faster. The company offers proven solutions in electronic data capture (EDC), clinical data management (CDM), electronic patient diary, and adverse event reporting (AER) as either an integrated solution or as stand-alone applications based on each customer's specific needs.

Phase Forward's technologies and services have been used by customers worldwide to reduce the cost of drug and device development and improve patient safety. Phase Forward Incorporated is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts with international offices in the United Kingdom, Australia, France and Japan. Additional information about Phase Forward is available at www.phaseforward.com.

Copyright (C) 2002 Phase Forward Incorporated. All rights reserved. Phase Forward, Clintrial and the Phase Forward logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Phase Forward Incorporated in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and other jurisdictions. Other marks may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners