Icon and Premier both expand through acquisition

UK-based Premier has bought the business and assets of US firm ARS for $22.1m (€16m), primarily to expand its Oracle Clinical data management and database offerings and opportunities with in the US. "ARS has developed a strong industry reputation based on its data management and Oracle Clinical expertise…and is currently working with 33 customers, 28 of whom will be new customers to Premier,"​ said the firm. "ARS will also provide Premier access to doctors and patients within the North East territory of the US market." ​ At the same time, Premier has also snapped up D-Target, a CRO that specialises in clinical research and regulatory services for medical device, combination products and biologics products manufacturers, in a deal worth up to CHF17.0m (€10.3m). The appeal of the Swiss-based company is that it brings the company medical device clinical research and regulatory expertise in Europe. "This is a growth area as more medical device companies outsource this function as the regulatory regime becomes increasingly complex,"​ said Premier. D-Target is currently working with 53 customers, 50 of whom will be new customers to Premier, and the firm also indicated the alliance will also provide it with new access to doctors and patients for medical device clinical trials across Europe. The firm added that it is "confident that both acquisitions will be earnings enhancing in the first full year… and both currently generate sufficient cashflow to cover their working capital needs." ​ Meanwhile, Ireland-based Icon has also made a $40m purchase this week of Dutch-based contract staffing firm DOCS International, allowing it to expand into Europe in this field. DOCS, which operates in eight European countries, will be integrated with Icon's existing US-based staffing business, Icon Contracting Solutions, to form a global business unit, with desired effect of providing more global flexibility for its customers, the firm said.