Dutch medical device CRO expands in North America

Factory CRO is a global contract research organization (CRO) headquartered in the Netherlands. Its focus is on medical devices and IVDs.

Earlier this week, the company announced its acquisition of MileStone Research Organization, a San Diego, CA-based CRO that specializes in clinical research and reimbursement solutions for the medical device and biologics industries.

"As we focused on expanding within the United States, we looked to partner with a CRO that shares our core values as well as our passion for delivering high-quality medical device trials,​" Joris Bannenberg, MD Ph.D., CMO and medical director at Factory CRO, told Outsourcing-Pharma.com. "MileStone Research Organization was a natural fit for us​."

As Bannenberg explained, the acquisition expands Factory's US presence and its knowledge within the spine, orthobiologics and IVD space. Additionally, MileStone's reimbursement services offerings also expand the company's US capabilities. 

"We also believe that the acquisition will be mutually beneficial and that Factory’s global reach and intimate understanding of the changing European regulatory environment will be an asset to all our US medical device customers​," added Bannenberg.

The companies have been working collaboratively for some time and the integration process will be focused on making the transition seamless for customers, he said.

"Factory CRO will remain focused on the medical device industry, and we intend to continue to grow globally through a combination of organic growth within our core business and through further acquisitions​," Bannenberg explained. "As we did with MileStone, we intend to ensure that any future acquisition targets stay true to our core values and unique business model​."