ERES East Resources Acquisition Company

PRACS Institute, Ltd. Selects eResearchTechnology to Provide Integrated Suite of Software and Services Agreement Includes Enterprise Electronic Data Capture, Data Management, and Web Portal Solutions for Deployment Across All Phases of Clinical Development PHILADELPHIA and FARGO, N.D., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- eResearchTechnology, Inc. (eRT) (NASDAQ:ERES), a leading e-research technology and services provider, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to provide PRACS Institute, Ltd., North America's largest privately held contract research organization focusing on Phase I-related services, with an integrated technology and services solution that includes enterprise electronic data capture (EDC), clinical data management, and a web portal for client access to real-time data. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. PRACS will deploy eRT's Enterprise EDC platform, which includes the eResearch Community portal and eData Management clinical data management application for collecting and cleaning electronic and paper-based clinical trial information. The solution will support development of harmonized processes across all phases of clinical development for rapidly growing PRACS, which, in addition to its Fargo headquarters, includes operations in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, and San Diego, California. eRT's Enterprise EDC platform will be implemented to support PRACS' ability to provide sponsors with an EDC solution that can scale from a single trial to an entire development program. Also, PRACS will deploy eRT's eResearch Community web portal for overall command and control, real-time analysis and decision support, and collaboration and communications across its clinical research network. In addition to technology licenses and maintenance, the agreement leverages eRT's full range of services, including: -- Regulatory compliant hosting -- Configuration and implementation of initial EDC studies -- eHealth Education web-based training -- Packaged kits and associated services to support effective development of standard operating procedures In July 2003, the companies announced a non-exclusive alliance for providing integrated solutions for Thorough QT studies, which monitor cardiac safety and a drug's impact on the QT interval. Under the agreement, PRACS conducts clinical trials at 17 Phase I units at its headquarters in Fargo and facility in East Grand Forks, while eRT performs digital collection, measurement, interpretation, review and distribution of cardiac safety data through its EXPeRT(R) workflow-enabled data handling technology. "We are pleased at being given the opportunity to deepen our partnership with PRACS by providing an infrastructure for enterprise EDC and clinical data management that will scale to support PRACS' continued growth and expansion across all phases of clinical development," said Scott Grisanti, senior vice president of business development and chief marketing officer at eRT. "In addition, the eResearch Community tool will provide a backbone for collaboration across PRACS facilities, investigative sites, and sponsors. eRT is unique in its ability to deliver partners both end-to-end solutions for automating key clinical research processes and leading ECG central laboratory services to meet the needs of today's demanding Thorough QT studies, along with routine Phase I and later phase cardiac safety services." Dr. James Carlson, founder and president of PRACS Institute, Ltd., commented, "Implementation of an EDC solution that can support our expanding business across all phases of development will extend and enhance the services we can offer to sponsors. We have enjoyed a terrific partnership with eRT in the area of cardiac safety services, especially in the Thorough QT study area. We look forward to delivering even more value to the drug development industry by leveraging eRT's technology and services, which will allow us to collaborate closely with our clients in conduct of studies across a wide range of therapeutic areas and specialties." About PRACS Institute, Ltd. Based in Fargo, North Dakota, PRACS Institute, Ltd. (http://www.pracs.com/), has served the innovator and generic pharmaceutical industries for over 20 years with full-service on-site clinical and bioanalytical capabilities for Phase I-IV studies. PRACS Institute offers the highest quality contract research and related services with state-of-the-art clinical and bioanalytical facilities comprising 17 study units and 540 beds, a large, highly-compliant healthy subject population, experienced staff, Sciex and Micromass mass spectrometry, bioanalytical sample analysis and an excellent FDA audit record. In addition, with the 2004 acquisition of the clinical research divisions of DermTech International, PRACS has incorporated renowned dermatology/consumer product testing expertise, including pre- clinical in vitro Franz diffusion cell, and in vivo dermatopharmacokinetic capabilities, along with full-service management of Phase I-IV clinical dermatology trials. About eResearchTechnology (eRT) 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, Inc., +1-908-203-6473, or Matt Hayden, Hayden Communications, +1-858-456-4533, for eResearchTechnology Web site: http://www.pracs.com/ Web site: http://www.ert.com/

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