Clinical-trial tech company acquires Compass Research

Orlando-based clinical research company Compass Research has been acquired by Bioclinica, a clinical-trial technology company, for an undisclosed amount.

The two entities were brought together by Edgemont Capital Partners after Compass leaders requested a search for strategic partners, said Sean Stanton, Compass CEO and co-founder, in an email to the Orlando Sentinel.

Compass has more than 170 employees and as a clinical trials site, it tests investigational medications for a wide range of diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and insomnia.

“Bioclinica is bringing additional capital, resources, and technology to Compass Research and will enable us to grow more quickly,” Stanton wrote. “As that happens, it means more pharmaceutical and biotech companies coming to Orlando to do business here, more clinical trials opportunities at more clinic locations for patients, and more job opportunities at Compass Research for talented workers.”

Current patients won’t notice any changes at Compass sites in Orlando and The Villages, said

Current patients won’t notice any changes at Compass sites in Orlando and The Villages.

Stanton, who will remain with the company. No changes are being made to staff, operations and processes, and there are no plans to change the company name, other than identifying it as a Bioclinica company, he said.

Bioclinica, based in Doylestown, Pa., provides support services for clinical trials, including patient recruitment, imaging and lab services. It has more than 1,200 employees with offices in United States, Europe and Asia.

“This exciting acquisition brings established, highly successful U.S. investigational sites into our global research network,” said Bioclinica president and CEO John Hubbard, in a news release Monday. “The Compass Research team has built a strong operation that will set the model for our clinical research expansion in the United States.”