Premier Research buys Health Decisions citing women’s health market

Premier Research has acquired women’s health and diagnostics specialist Health Decisions, citing the market as a major opportunity.

The deal – terms of which were not provided – will add Durham, North Carolina-based Health Decisions capabilities to Premier’s established oncology, analgesia, and neuroscience services offering.

Health Decisions claims it has conducted more than 300 clinical trials, including more than 200 studies in women's health indications such as reproductive and sexual health, menopause, pain management, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and gynecologic oncology.

Krista Armstrong, Premier’s senior vice president, clinical development services, cited the growing market for women specific therapies as the motivation for the takeover.

"This is a pivotal moment in women's health as unmet needs continue to grow. The women's health market is expected to reach $40 billion in the next five years and new technologies are on the rise.

“Thankfully, big data is providing new insights into prevention and treatments for breast and pelvic health. But a major factor in market growth is the rising incidence of female-specific diseases and disorders worldwide — from osteoporosis and osteoarthritis to anemia and hormonal imbalances.”

This view was echoed by Health Decisions’ CEO Patrick Phillips, who said, "The women's health market has seen considerable investment and expansion across all key aspects, including Femtech in the last five years.

“In addition, the market opportunity in fluid-based diagnostics, specifically in oncology, infectious disease, and women's health is supporting unprecedented levels of research in these areas.”

The comments are in keeping with a recent report that suggested the Women’s Health Market will be worth $41.05 billion by 2027, a growth rate of 3.2%.

M&A

The deal comes a few months after Premier bought Camargo Pharmaceutical Services to bolster its abilities in areas such as oncology, pediatrics, rare disease.

The CRO also cited Camargo’s knowledge of the 505(b) (2) pathway – a hybrid between the FDA's traditional NDA and an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) program – as a motivation for the acquisition.

Image: iStock/peakSTOCK