Synarc's V.P. of Biochemical Markers Reports New Findings on the Role of Cartilage Markers in Osteoarthritis  

San Francisco – November 29, 2007 - Synarc Inc., the world's leading provider of medical image analysis, biochemical marker, and clinical research center recruitment services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, announced that Patrick Garnero, Ph.D., General Manager and Vice President of its Biochemical Marker Division, has reported his findings from a new analysis conducted on the role of cartilage markers in the largest clinical study with any therapy in osteoarthritis.

According to an article in the October issue of Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, a new biochemical marker ofcartilage degradation decreased in patients with knee osteoarthritis receiving the bisphosphonate risedronate. Osteoarthritis is a prevalent disease that particularly affects weight-bearing joints such as knees and hips. Current therapies for osteoarthritis are mainly targeted toward providing symptom relief.

"Monitoring a biochemical marker of cartilage degradation six months after initiating treatment may be instructive in identifying patients with low progression," said Garnero in the article.

The objective of the study was to investigate whether early changes in biochemical markers of bone and cartilage degradation are associated with radiological progression in patients with knee osteoarthritis receiving risedronate. The trial evaluated 2,483 patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis in two 24-month studies in North America and Europe.

Since 1998, Synarc has contributed to the approval of twenty-two leading compounds, across a broad spectrum of therapeutic areas.

About Synarc
Synarc’s medical image analysis, subject recruitment and biochemical marker services enable life-science industry clients to execute clinical trials accurately while decreasing the time, uncertainty, and cost of product development. Synarc has partnered with industry leaders to bring numerous leading compounds to market across a broad spectrum of therapeutic areas. Our services integrate critical aspects of clinical-trial design and execution, from protocol design and subject recruitment to regulatory liaison on behalf of our clients.  Our expert radiologists and scientists are innovators in all aspects of medical image analysis and biochemical markers in drug development, and have pioneered many methods used in today’s clinical trials. Synarc has seventeen offices around the world. Synarc's medical image analysis, subject recruitment and biochemical marker services are currently used in more than 200 clinical trials around the world.

Media Contact:
Victoria Swanson
415 817-7912
victoria.swanson@synarc.com