Clinical testing and services firm INC Research is expanding its international footprint through the acquisition of a clinical research organization that operates in Greece, Turkey, the Middle East and Northern Africa.
The latest addition to INC’s growing operation is MEK Consulting, which is based in Lebanon.
INC says it wants to expand business in the Middle East-North Africa market, gaining access to more than 200 million patients.
“The MENA region offers significant opportunities for new drug development due to its large patient populations, highly qualified medical personnel and increasingly sophisticated regulatory environments,” said INC Research Chief Executive Officer Jamie Macdonald in announcing the deal. “The acquisition of MEK Consulting provides INC Research’s customers with access to this expanding region for biopharmaceutical development and further demonstrates our commitment to connect them to everything they need to conduct their trials.”
INC has worked with MEK Consulting in the past.
MEK has more than 40 employees.
The founders of the firm will join INC as part of the deal. Myriam El-Khazen and Selim Dagher will serve as general manager and executive director, Commercial Operations, respectively.
