CHICAGO, Dec. 4, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merge Healthcare Incorporated (Nasdaq:MRGE), a leading provider of clinical systems and innovations that seek to transform healthcare, today announced that NCGS Incorporated has selected Merge's eClinical OS™ and clinical trial management (CTMS) solution to streamline data management activity through electronic data capture (EDC) technology transfer and improve study management efficiency.

NCGS focuses on complex areas of clinical development, such as oncology-hematology, infectious disease, critical care and CNS. As a single, web-based solution, Merge eClinical OS has the flexibility to support trials in any phase. NCGS has implemented Merge's solutions across all therapeutic areas and Phase I-IV studies.

"Initially NCGS used a competitive product in-house for data management needs. Later data management was moved externally and outsourced to a third party. The latter was a cumbersome process," said Nancy C. G. Snowden, CEO of NCGS Incorporated. "With eClinical OS, we saw the opportunity to bring EDC back in-house. Managing data in-house and utilizing the build tools eClinical OS provides, shortens study deployment timelines, provides NCGS and our clients complete control of clinical data with real time access, provides a competitively priced solution and shortens timelines to datalock. The self-service quoting tool, the Configurator, allows NCGS to quickly estimate study costs and generate quotes for our clients."

"Most EDC systems are developed solely from a data manager perspective; however, many organizations need a solution for all user groups," said Justin Dearborn, President of Merge Healthcare. "Merge eClinical OS is designed to help clients build, deploy, manage and run studies faster and more cost effectively, with little technical background required."

"We were pleased to find that eClinical OS houses such a comprehensive set of capabilities. Using one system for randomization, patient reported outcomes, medical coding, and practically anything else that a particular study could call for creates operational and quality efficiencies," continued Snowden. "NCGS has also partnered with Merge for our clinical trial management system (CTMS) requirements, which will maximize efficiency across all our studies. Access to regulatory documentation and operation data via the CTMS provides our clients with moment to moment updates and status reporting through customizable auto-reporting."

Merge eClinical OS provides end-to-end study support through a single, easy-to-use interface allowing clients to manage and run studies more efficiently than ever before. It delivers built-in study templates, libraries and reports to help users create studies quickly and manage them effectively without technical assistance. Merge eClinical OS works for the largest and smallest studies, has the flexibility to support trials in any phase, and captures any type of data, from any source, from any modality.

About Merge Healthcare

Merge is a leading provider of clinical systems and innovations that seek to transform healthcare. Merge's enterprise and cloud-based solutions for image intensive specialties provide access to any image, anywhere, any time. Merge also provides health stations, clinical trials software and other health data and analytics solutions that engage consumers in their personal health. With solutions that are used by providers and consumers and include more than 20 years of innovation, Merge is helping to reduce costs and improve the quality of healthcare worldwide. For more information, visit merge.com.

The Merge Healthcare logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=10757

About NCGS Incorporated

NCGS Incorporated is a full-service Contract Research Organization (CRO) focusing on complex areas of clinical development; oncology-hematology, infectious disease, critical care and CNS in both adult and pediatric populations. In 28 years of operation, NCGS has worked on the approval or expanded approval of 28 drug, biologic, diagnostic and device products and has had no FDA Warning Letters / 483s. For more information, visit ncgs.com.

The NCGS Incorporated logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=16068

Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The matters discussed in this news release may include forward-looking statements, which could involve a number of risks and uncertainties. When used in this press release, the words "will," "believes," "intends," "anticipates," "expects" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any of the forward-looking statements.

CONTACT: Media Contacts:
         Lesley Weisenbacher
         Vice President, Marketing,
         Merge Healthcare
         312.540.6623
         lesley.weisenbacher@merge.com

         Kimberly Flotta
         Director, Strategic Sourcing and
         Recruitment, NCGS Incorporated
         706.817.9308
         kflotta@ncgs.com