Von Rickenbach spoke with Outsourcing-pharma.com about the new strategic deal Parexel signed with Pfizer last week.

He described the deal with Pfizer, which will focus on the provision of trial services, as a “nice win” for Parexel that will help the firm achieve a double digit growth rate by spring of next year.

Von Rickenbach added that, while details of the accord are still to be worked out, he does not expect early-phase development to be a core focus and added that the previously announced plan to reduce the CRO's Phase I capacity was still necessary.

He also said that it is too early to say if the partnership will involve the transfer of assets and personal or if Parexel is one of the CROs Pfizer hopes to install at the R&D facility in Sandwich, UK that it plans to close in 2012