ICON Acquires Majority Stake in MeDiNova Research to Strengthen Patient Recruitment Capabilities Across Europe, Middle East, and Africa

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) has learned that on May 23, 2019, ICON, a global leader in pharmaceutical CRO services, announced the acquisition of a majority stake in MeDiNova Research, with an option to acquire the remaining shares by the third quarter of 2020. This acquisition further strengthens ICON’s patient recruitment capabilities in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and enhances the patient data assets of its website, PMG Research.

MeDiNova Research, established in 1997 and headquartered in Coventry, UK, is a contract research organization (CRO) dedicated to providing clinical research services to biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. MeDiNova Research boasts extensive R&D experience across multiple therapeutic areas, including musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, dermatological, infectious diseases, human metabolism, and vaccine research. The company aims to establish a globally leading clinical research network, assisting clients in conducting high-quality studies in the most efficient manner.

MeDiNova Research operates 33 clinical research sites across the United Kingdom, Spain, South Africa, Poland, and Romania. The company maintains 105 clinical research sites in eight countries and regions, with a database containing data on 400,000 patients. By leveraging its network of sites and database, the company can rapidly recruit suitable patients to support clients’ clinical trials. Furthermore, through collaborations with major medical institutions, MeDiNova Research has access to electronic health records covering more than 5 million potential study participants.

Founded in Dublin, Ireland, in 1990, ICON plc. was listed on the NASDAQ stock market on May 15, 1998. It is a contract research organization (CRO) that provides outsourced drug development services to global biopharmaceutical, medical device, biosimilar, and generic pharmaceutical organizations. Currently, the company operates in 37 countries and employs 13,920 people. According to a report released by Qianzhan Industry Research Institute, ICON plc. is the fourth-largest CRO company in the world.

Kumar Muthalagappan OBE, CEO of MeDiNova Research, stated, “MeDiNova Research aims to provide clients with suitable patients in the shortest possible time to reduce clinical trial preparation timelines. ICON can expand our expertise and enhance our infrastructure, thereby driving the company’s continued growth.”

ICON CEO Steve Cutler stated, “MeDiNova Research operates multiple research sites across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, which will further enhance our patient recruitment capabilities in these regions. Additionally, the company’s specialized scientific expertise will support our clients’ development programs.”

(Compiled by Jiao Yanli)