The acquisition immediately positions ERT as aleader in clinical outcome assessments (COA), according to the company, and thecombined organization will now offer sponsors, CROs and other third-partyvendors a combination of market-leading ePRO/COA solutions and scientific andregulatory consulting services that ERT says "is unrivalled in the industry."
In addition, the invivodata consulting group reportedlybolsters ERT's position as a scientific thought leader in health outcomes researchand complements ERT's strong market position in cardiac safety and respiratoryoutcomes assessment. The acquisition also enhances ERT's multi-mode ePROproduct portfolio with the introduction of a suite of proven site-based andpatient-friendly handheld devices that have already been validated to collecttherapy-specific diaries, instruments and assessments.
"For some time, ERT has been working incollaboration with sponsors and partners to establish a new model of deliveringvalue through the centralization of health outcomes data," said Dr. JeffreyLitwin, ERT's CEO. "ERT is a leader in providing cardiac safety and respiratorysolutions and, by adding invivodata's team of scientists and technologyexperts, we accelerated this strategic initiative, which will provide our jointclients with consistent, scientifically accurate outcome assessment data whichwill be accessible from one platform. We are delighted to welcome the new teamaboard."
Attractive to ERT, in part, was also that invivodatareported record growth in 2011, stemming from the addition of over 160 clinicalprojects. Three consecutive years of growth in bookings, revenue, andprofitability has led the company to substantially increase headcount, enablingit to meet the growing needs of its worldwide customer base, ERT notes, and themarket for the collection of clinical outcomes data is anticipated to grow by morethan 50 percent in the next three years.
"Our dedicated team of employees has workedtirelessly over the past 12 years to build a company that delivers true valueto our customers," commented Doug Engfer, CEO of invivodata. "Becoming a partof ERT will enable us to enhance the value we deliver. We truly appreciate the trust our customershave placed in us, and we look forward to expanding those relationships withour new colleagues at ERT."
