US pharma and biotech marketing agency Dudnyk, headquartered in Philadelphia, has acquired San Francisco-based Stratagem Healthcare Communications.
The move bolsters independently owned Dudnyk’s presence on the West Coast and adds medical devices marketing experience to its skills set.
“Specialty companies, because of their focus, can truly benefit from the creative work and sustained dedication provided by independent creative firms,” said Frank X Powers, president of Dudnyk.
“Specialty companies also gain by having direct access to the higher level of scientific acumen, strategic intelligence, and commercialisation expertise that Dudnyk offers.”
Moving forward, Stratagem will operate within the Dudnyk brand, with several Stratagem personnel joining the parent company, including Susan Hempstead as SVP, account management and strategy, Patricia Malone as SVP, creative director, copy, and Paul Harris as SVP, creative director, art.
“We acquired Stratagem as a way to bring enhanced value and additional resources, such as increased depth in multichannel digital capabilities to our combined client base. The acquisition represents a step forward in providing superior brand support to specialty pharma and medical device marketers,” Powers continued.
This latest acquisition follows Dudnyk’s announcement earlier this year that it had opened offices in southern California, a move that led to Medtronic Diabetes joining companies such as Shire, AstraZeneca and Merck & Co on the agency’s client roster.
“Our focus is communicating with specialty physicians and their patients in the biotech, biopharma and medical device sectors. The Stratagem team brings us additional senior talent and experience with those audiences and sectors; additional imaging, dermatology, and medical device marketing expertise; plus a strong direct-to-patient (DTP) portfolio,” Powers added.
Stratagem already manages accounts for Zonare Medical Systems, John Muir Health, Valeant Pharmaceuticals and Roche Molecular Systems.