Press Releases

Constella Group Acquires International Contract Research Organization

Acquisition of Origin Pharmaceutical Holdings Expands Constella's Clinical Trials Capabilities Worldwide

Headquartered in Oxford, U.K., Origin is a leading provider of regulatory affairs and product development consulting and support, and has a strong international clinical trials business. Origin also provides program management, pharmacovigilance, data management, statistics, medical writing and quality assurance services. Origin has more than 100 loyal clients worldwide.

This acquisition builds upon Constella's expertise in U.S.-based clinical trials offerings, including project management, monitoring, data management, and biostatistics. It provides both organizations with an opportunity to build a global platform to provide contract drug and device development services.

"With the addition of Origin, Constella now has the critical regulatory consulting and product development component that allows us to serve as a strategic advisor to our clients, beginning in the pre-clinical development phase and extending our services through each phase to regulatory approval and post-licensing," said Constella Chairman and CEO Donald A. Holzworth. "Together, we now have the resources and services to expand our CRO business globally."

Origin will soon begin operating under the Constella Group name. Its former CEO, Steve Smith, will remain in the business as president of the new business unit, reporting to Holzworth. Smith will lead operations, serve on Constella's leadership team and collaborate closely with the presidents of Constella's Health Sciences and Futures Group businesses. All of Origin's 100-plus employees have joined Constella as part of the acquisition.

In acquiring the privately-held company, Constella has gained four additional offices, which are based in Oxford and Cambridge in the United Kingdom and an office in Paris, France and Cologne, Germany.

"We are able to bring our clients new, comprehensive services because of our combined capabilities," Holzworth said. "This acquisition will help us continue to grow our therapeutic focus in HIV/AIDS, diabetes, oncology and sexual dysfunction and build our portfolio in vaccines, orphan indications, biotech products and pediatrics, areas where Origin has specific experience."

"I am pleased to join an organization that provides us the opportunity to build a global platform for our CRO services," said Steve Smith. "Origin and Constella have enjoyed a successful partnership in the past, and we share a similar approach for developing and maintaining strong client relations and for ensuring quality service and flexibility for our clients."

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