MSD Expands in Costa Rica and Opens its Global Oncology Data Management Center

• The Global Data Management Center ensures the integrity of clinical study data from oncology patients participating at research sites around the world.

San José, Costa Rica – November 1°, 2023 – This morning, the global biopharmaceutical company MSD celebrated the official opening of its Global Data Management Center, located in the city of San José, Costa Rica. This new Center marks a milestone in the expansion of the company’s operations, with an innovative focus on the management of clinical data for global oncological studies.

The Center’s purpose is to manage clinical information for oncology studies and is equipped to develop robust databases that compile information from patients participating in clinical studies for different types of cancer. Primarily, it involves laboratory tests, patient follow-up information, and other results from specialized exams. The Center’s scope is global, encompassing patients in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Latin America.

“The inauguration of the Global Data Management Center in Costa Rica signifies a significant milestone in MSD’s mission to advance research and development in the field of oncology worldwide. This Center represents a step forward in the quest for therapeutic solutions for cancer patients and highlights the value of collaboration between MSD, Costa Rica’s Ministry of Foreign Trade, and PROCOMER in promoting the country’s health industry. In this time, we have managed to expand our capacity to review clinical information, and we currently manage ten clinical studies from the Center. Our team has also experienced significant growth, and we expect to add approximately 100 new collaborators by the third quarter of 2024,” explained Nelson Gómez, Director of MSD’s Global Data Management Center in Costa Rica.

For his part, the Minister of Foreign Trade, Manuel Tovar, who participated in the opening ceremony of the Center, highlighted the impact of this initiative for the country: “From here, MSD and the talent they have recruited manage patient follow-up information for cancer patients participating in clinical studies in different parts of the world, meaning there is a global reach with the potential to improve the health of many people, and that fills us with pride and commitment to offer them the necessary conditions to maintain high standards, to fulfill their growth plan, and to continue developing such valuable databases that can change the quality of life for many patients around the world.”

The data managed at this center is used by MSD’s clinical and statistical teams to present evidence to regulatory agencies and medical communities, with the purpose of obtaining approval for new drugs, and also has the responsibility to verify the information and ensure its reliability in terms of the integrity of the results.

Therefore, the Global Data Management Center of Costa Rica plays an essential role in the process of approving new indications and medicines internationally, expanding therapeutic options for patients around the world and strengthening its position in the global medical community. The Center also interacts locally with external entities – including universities – to promote development and attract talent, contributing to the growth of clinical research.

“For 130 years we have been inventing for life, with the faithful purpose of saving and improving lives. As a biopharmaceutical company with almost 60 years in the Central America and Caribbean region, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to the development of Costa Rica, through private investment, talent training, and job creation. We firmly believe that the country has what it takes to continue expanding as a company, which is why in addition to this Global Data Operations Center, we have a Financial Services Center and a Pharmacovigilance Center that also provide support to MSD worldwide,” said Elisaul Perdomo, General Director of MSD for Central America and the Caribbean.

Laura López, General Manager of PROCOMER, highlighted: “the opening of MSD’s Global Data Management Center is a clear example of Costa Rica’s commitment to foreign investment and innovation. This initiative reinforces our position as a strategic destination for investment, attracting leading companies that contribute to our economic development through employment, linkages, and opportunities they generate for Costa Ricans.”

This Global Data Management Center in Costa Rica joins five other clinical information management centers that MSD has developed in different parts of the world, highlighting its commitment to innovation and the improvement of global medical care.