Manipal AcuNova Ltd completed the acquisition of ECRON GmbH, Europe. The two leading CRO's will now combine the clinical research expertise of ECRON's 20 years experience, with MAL's association with India' largest medical University.

The company will provide end-to-end services for phase I - IV clinical trials including project management, Clinical Data Management (CDM), Biostatistics, Medical Writing, Central Lab and Bio-Availability/Bio Equivalence (BA/BE) Studies to pharma, biotech, device and diagnostic companies.

The combined strength will be 265 employees slated to grow year on year. Frankfurt will be European HQ, Princeton for US and Bangalore for Asia. While D A Prasanna, vice chairman and MD, will continue to lead the global operations based out of Bangalore, Dr Wiedey MD will be president, Europe and Dr Kohkan Shamsi MD PhD will be CEO in the US.

Speaking on the development, Dr Wiedey, president, ECRON said, "AcuNova is a company built on quality making it a primary reason for ECRON's choice in this synergy. This collaboration will benefit our European and US clients. The possibility of extending trials from Europe to India will make drug development faster. Trial data can be analyzed with biostatisticians and data management professionals from India, speeding up submission to regulators like EMEA and US FDA. We can take up bigger complex projects with a broader range of services like central lab and PK/PD service."

On process standardization, he added, "Highest ICH GCP and FDA standards will be deployed across the organization hence clinical operations will use German practices and DM will use the Indian practice. We foresee harmonization of SOP's within the next 6 months."

On the acquisition, DA Prasanna, vice chairman and founder, MAL, said "Industry experience shows bringing a drug into market takes 8-10 years. Indian CRO's do not have a track record in seeing a drug through development and into market. Hence this merger will combine MAL's access to investigators and patients with ECRON's quality reputation making drugs available faster. Clients will be able to conduct trials at West and East European Hospitals and enter regulated markets."

Adding further Prasanna said, "Manipal Group supports this development with special access to teaching hospitals and education infrastructure. We are confident that the combined strength offers a compelling alternative for clients to entrust their clinical development programs with us."