Emmes has bought Plymouth, Massachusetts-based rare disease trials contractor Casimir, the latest in a string of acquisitions that may not be done just yet.
The deal—financial terms of which were not disclosed—is designed to expand Emmes’ therapeutic offering and its clinical trial technology portfolio, according to a company spokesperson. Casimir will bring with it expertise in 20 different rare diseases, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Emmes clients will have access to Casimir’s full-service protocol design, strategy and trial execution services for rare diseases and for a variety of myopathies and neurological conditions, the spokesperson said. And, Emmes will also gain some new biopharma clients—especially in the rare disease and neuroscience spaces. The company will also take on all 31 Casimir employees.
Casimir is Emmes’ fourth acquisition in just over a year, after Prague, Czech Republic-headquartered Neox, UK-based rare disease specialist Orphan Reach and German late phase study-focused contractor Institut Dr. Schauerte.
“The integration of all three of our previous acquisitions has gone well,” according to the spokesperson. “More integration will occur in 2022. We expect the same to occur for Casimir.”
With Orphan Reach, Emmes established a rare disease center in the U.K., combining its biostatistics, data management and clinical research experience with Orphan Reach’s rare disease patient-centric focus.
And these rare disease capabilities will expand as a result of the latest acquisition, the spokesperson said. The deal will also expand Emmes’ technology offering, particularly in decentralized and hybrid trials.
“Adding Casimir’s proprietary clinical outcomes technology establishes us as the industry-leading CRO in rare and orphan disease clinical research and drug development,” the spokesperson said.
Casimir is unlikely to be Emmes’ last acquisition. The spokesperson said the company is looking for acquisition candidates that address one or more growth initiatives, including expanding its client base, particularly in the biopharmaceutical space, building out therapeutic expertise in areas like ophthalmology, immunology, neuroscience and mental health and furthering its international reach.