The merger is being dubbed by the firms as unique, in that it "establishes the first global drug-development services provider to be totally dedicated to ophthalmology". However, the amalgamation is seemingly just a formalisation of an existing relationship between the two CROs - they were both established within five years of each other by the same person, Pierre-Paul Elena, who has also served as president for the two companies. Iris Pharma's focus is on preclinical research in the field, while Clirophtha runs Phase I-IV clinical trials throughout Western and Eastern Europe, North Africa, India, South Arabia and North America. Under their new united front, they will offer global customers "a complete range of [ophthalmology] services" under the name of Iris Pharma, including bioanalysis; non-GLP pre-formulation; pre-clinical studies and services; clinical trials and supporting functions; and consulting.
