The clinical research organisation (CRO) PRA has expanded in efforts in Eastern Europe with the acquisition of ClinStar.
The deal, financial terms of which are undisclosed, gives US-based PRA control of a CRO that manages phase I-IV clinical research trials in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and the Baltic States, such as Estonia and Latvia.
Colin Shannon, president and CEO of PRA described the acquisition as a “logical fit” for the company, with PRA looking to grow in the regions.
He said: “ClinStar will augment PRA’s operations and expertise in Russia and Eastern Europe. Their knowledge and experience in this region complements PRA’s overall global reach and infrastructure.”
ClinStar is based in California, US, but has built its business as a Western CRO in the Eastern Europe, which the company says is able to provide “faster patient recruitment and higher quality data than that provided in the West”.
The company has more than 260 employees throughout the region, where it has been working for 13 years.
PRA says that, over the coming months, it has plans to integrate these employees, as well as employees from ClinStar’s standalone clinical trial warehousing and logistics division IMP Logistics.
The acquisition of this division will give PRA access to cold chain logistics services, including the importation of products and clinical supplies, as well as controlled-temperate storage.
As part of the agreement, ClinStar’s president and CEO David Passov will be also be given the role of senior VP, Eastern Europe at PRA.
He commented on benefits the deal has for ClinStar: “As the largest independent, geographically-focused CRO in the region, we will continue providing our existing and future clients with the fast patient enrolment, high quality and service they are accustomed to receiving from ClinStar, while adding the global reach and full-service capabilities we can now provide with our new colleagues as a part of PRA.”