ERES East Resources Acquisition Company

Growing European Pharmaceutical Organization Awards $1.2 Million Study Extension to eResearchTechnology for Cardiac Safety Monitoring and Information Distribution Services Overall Agreement Now Totals More Than $2.7 Million for Thorough Phase I ECG Study PHILADELPHIA, March 16 /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 more than $1.2 million in additional cardiac safety monitoring and services from a growing European pharmaceutical organization for one of its drug candidates in clinical development. The additional award brings to $2.7 million the total services contracted toeRT for this single clinical trial. The agreement covers an extension to an extensive Phase I study for which eRT was already 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 extension is targeted for completion over a 90-day period. "After careful consideration, this sponsor elected to further enhance the cardiac safety profile for this important study, and eRT stands ready to provide the capacity and throughput required to process a significantly increased number of ECGs within a compressed timeframe," said Scott Grisanti, senior vice president of business development and chief marketing officer at eRT. "eRT's unique approach to delivering comprehensive services for successful execution of ThoroughPhase I ECG studies, including close partnerships with Clinical Pharmacology Units for study conduct, enabled the flexibility required to immediately meet this increased demand." 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 servicesto 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 thesponsoring client. The sponsor may cancel this agreement at its sole discretion. 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, Inc., +1-908-203-6473; or Matt Hayden, Hayden Communications, +1-760-487-1137, for eResearchTechnology, Inc. Web site: http://www.ert.com/

Copyright