DURHAM – Cato Research continues to grow and evolve following an infusion of private equity cash in 2018, this time merging with Specialized Medical Services-oncology, a Europe-based oncology services firm.
Cato also will gain a new CEO as part of the deal, which was announced early Monday. The deal creates a firm operating in some 20 companies, offering a variety of life science services linked to drug development and some 300 employees.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Cato had earlier made an acquisition after the investment from Water Street Healthcare Partners and JLL Partners.
Mark Goldbrg, the CEO of Cato, which has some 200 employees, will be the executive chair of the combined firm. He was named to lead Cato in March.
A new name is planned as well – Cato SMS – sometime in the next year, the companies said.
Philine van den Tol, CEO of SMS-oncology which is based in the Netherlands, will lead the combined company.
“Cato and SMS-oncology bring a powerful blend of capabilities focused on supporting small and mid-sized biotech and pharmaceutical companies with their innovative research. Our companies share strong cultural values, anchored by a commitment to high quality and personalized customer service. Together, we’re focused on growing and enhancing our services to build an industry-leading company specializing in complex therapeutic areas, including oncology, cell and gene therapy, and rare treatments,” Goldberg said in a statement.
Cato recently acquired Thread, which focuses on virtual research.
“Coming together with CATO is an important step toward our objective of providing clients with a broader set of solutions supported by the high-touch service that they expect from us,” van den Tol said. “We can now offer our clients an expanded geographic footprint in the United States and Canada, as well as additional access to valuable drug development and regulatory expertise. We’re especially excited to engage CATO’s expertise in working with the FDA.”
Cato launched in 1988.
