The firm said the takeover, completed this week, was a direct result of increased demand from its clients who want a more complete service as they move towards later phase clinical studies.
Jim Baker, CEO of Ockham, told Outsourcing-Pharma Nexus’ capabilities in regulatory and EudraVigilance (pharmacovigilance in the EMEA) will be the key additions to the firm’s current project management provisions.
He added: “The merger also gives Ockham the ability to expand our functional service provider (FSP) capabilities outside the US and Canada.”
Nexus, which will operate as a subsidiary, will gain full service capabilities in Ockham’s IT know-how in electronic data capture (EDC), and biostatistics, as well as strengthening its hold in more countries.
Clare Wareing – who founded Nexus, and will now take on the role of chief scientific officer – said: “This transaction enables us to realise a long-held ambition of being a global full-service oncology CRO with a larger geographic footprint and a wider and deeper service offering.”
The firm currently operates within North America and Europe. Ockham has offerings and partnerships in the US, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.
Two of a kind
Both firms will now work to integrate their services as part of Ockham’s bid to become “the largest privately held global oncology CRO in the world”.
Baker said the firms are already well on their way to achieving this goal: “The FSP work Nexus is currently doing in clinical in Europe, and the FSP work Ockham is doing in biostatistics and data management already compliment each other quite well.”
Following the buy, Ockham now employs about 300 employees across 12 countries, placing it among the top niche CROs worldwide.
In a statement, an Ockham spokesperson also said that Nexus would help increase growth opportunities, adding: “The transaction also provides Ockham with an institutional investment partner”.