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Growing European Multi-National Pharmaceutical Company Signs Agreement with eResearchTechnology for Cardiac Safety Monitoring and Information Distribution Services Award Totals Approximately $1.4 Million for Thorough Phase I ECG Study to Be Completed Over 90 Days PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- eResearchTechnology, Inc. (eRT), , a leading provider of centralized electrocardiographic (ECG) collection and interpretation services, announced today that it has received an agreement for approximately $1.4 million in cardiac safety monitoring and services from a growing Europe-based multi-national pharmaceutical organization for one of its drug candidates in later phase clinical trials. The agreement covers an extensive Phase I study for which eRT is providing comprehensive support including the provision, training and ongoing assistance required for effective use of digital 12-lead Holter equipment designed to facilitate 24-hour digital recording of cardiac safety data that is subsequently provided to eRT for analysis. eRT will perform digital collection, measurement, interpretation, review, and distribution of cardiac safety data through its EXPeRT workflow enabled data handling technology, the first solution in production that was designed explicitly to meet emerging international regulatory guidance and technical standards. The study is targeted for completion over a 90-day period beginning in the first quarter of 2004. "The developer of this compound learned recently that completion of a Thorough Phase I ECG Study was important for continuation of its clinical development program into Phase III and through to submission," said Scott Grisanti, senior vice president of business development and chief marketing officer at eRT. "We are delighted that eRT is in a position to collaborate closely with this organization by providing cardiac safety services for this important initiative and to assist with a number of important supporting services related to protocol development, selection of a clinical pharmacology unit to conduct the trial, and general planning and logistics." Based in Philadelphia, PA, eResearchTechnology, Inc. (http://www.ert.com/) is a provider of technology and services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries on a global basis. The company is a market leader in providing centralized core-diagnostic electrocardiographic (ECG) technology and services to evaluate cardiac safety in clinical development. The company is also a leader in providing technology and services to streamline the clinical trials process by enabling its customers to automate the collection, analysis, and distribution of clinical data in all phases of clinical development. Statements included in this release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties such as competitive factors, technological development, market demand, and the company's ability to obtain new contracts and accurately estimate net revenues due to variability in size, scope and duration of projects, and internal issues in the sponsoring client. As a result, actual results may differ materially from any financial outlooks stated herein. Further information on potential factors that could affect the company's financial results can be found in the company's Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. DATASOURCE: eResearchTechnology, Inc. CONTACT: Joan Sterlacci, eResearchTechnology, +1-908-203-6473; or Matt Hayden, Hayden Communications, +1-760-487-1137, for eResearchTechnology Web site: http://www.ert.com/

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