20,000 Handhelds Deployed for Clinical Trials

palmOne and PHT Corporation, the market-leading provider of electronic patient reported outcome (ePRO) solutions, achieved a record year in 2004 by deploying approximately 20,000 handheld electronic patient diaries for use in clinical trials.

To date, PHT has shipped more than 40,000 LogPad(R) Systems, using palmOne devices, to thousands of subjects and clinical research sites in 46 languages and 48 countries around the globe since 2000. PHT is palmOne's largest healthcare customer, and has implemented its market-leading LogPad System on multiple palmOne devices, including the m500, m515, Tungsten W and Tungsten T3 handhelds.

"Our customers prefer to use palmOne devices for eDiaries because they are easy to learn, reliable and intuitive to use -- all of which encourage subject compliance," said Phil Lee, PHT president and chief executive officer. "We believe the escalating demand for our integrated ePRO solutions is supported by a significant increase in market adoption. A rapidly growing number of biopharmaceutical companies are beginning to realize the benefits ePRO provides, including improved data quality, reduced variance and real-time access to data. Working with palmOne has successfully positioned us to meet this increased demand."

Advantages offered by palmOne devices include extended battery life, a flexible operating system, fast performance, durability and wireless capabilities, such as GSM or Bluetooth technologies. More than one-third of all trials implemented by PHT in 2004 used Wireless LogPads in geographic areas where the underlying cellular telecommunications infrastructure is more reliable or available than analog.

"We're pleased to maintain such a strong relationship with PHT," said Jason Barton, director of business and healthcare sales for palmOne. "We're effecting positive change for healthcare with innovative hardware solutions featuring enhanced screen resolution, more memory and faster processors, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and wide area network wireless connectivity, all grounded in our patient-friendly user interface. Together with PHT, we will continue to facilitate important clinical research programs worldwide."