International private equity firm Cinven announces that it has agreed to merge Bioclinica (‘the Company’), a leading integrated solutions provider of clinical life science and technology expertise, with ERT, a global leader in clinical end-point data solutions. As part of the transaction, Cinven will become a significant minority shareholder of ERT working in partnership with Nordic Capital, Astorg and Novo Holdings A/S. Financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

Established in 1990, Bioclinica supports the development of new medications globally through its medical expertise, service experience and technology platform that improve the efficiency of clinical trials. Headquartered in the US, Bioclinica employs c. 2,600 people globally, with operations across the US, Europe and Asia.

Building on its experience in the global clinical trials industry through its February 2014 investment in Medpace, a leading contract research organisation (“CRO”), that Cinven successfully listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market in August 2016, Cinven’s Healthcare team identified Bioclinica as a compelling investment opportunity and acquired the business in October 2016. During Cinven’s ownership, Cinven has worked closely with Euan Menzies, the CEO, and the rest of the management team to enhance Bioclinica’s operations and position Bioclinica for growth, particularly in its core medical imaging business, where there has been significant investment in team expansion and technology capabilities to respond to the increase in clinical trial activity globally.

The combination of Bioclinica and ERT will create a leading independent provider of data and technology for use in clinical trials globally. The combined organisation will be involved in approximately 4,000 clinical trials each year, serving the world’s major pharma and biotech companies and working in partnership with the major global CROs. The combination of Bioclinica’s technology and medical expertise in imaging, together with ERT’s expertise in collecting endpoint data, will ensure better and faster outcomes from clinical trials and will bring increased efficiency and innovation into the clinical trials industry, for the benefit of patients worldwide.

Commenting on the transaction, Alex Leslie, Partner at Cinven, said:

“We have worked hard with Euan and the excellent management team at Bioclinica to lay strong foundations for the future. We have invested in technology, new services and strengthening the team, which has resulted in strong growth momentum in the business.

“The combination of Bioclinica with ERT will bring immense benefits to the combined group’s customers and to patients across the world. We look forward to being able to continue contributing to, and investing into, the growth and development of the combined business through our ongoing shareholding.”