DURHAM – The fast-growing Velocity Clinical Research is expanding again, this time in the United Kingdom.

According to a statement, the Triangle-based clinical research sites business has bought the multi-site, London-based company Egin Research.

“We strive to provide the best experience for participants by considering their involvement in clinical trials as a journey that we go through together,” said Dr. Ahmed Elshashai, chief investigator at Egin Research.  “It was evident from the start that Velocity had the same values in patient welfare and research quality.”

With this latest acquisition, Velocity Clinical now maintains and operates 42 dedicated research locations globally, according to the company’s statement.

Egin Research was founded in 2019 by Shivagami Muthiah and Elshashai.

“We are a team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and healthcare assistants with a passion for research,” said Muthiah in a statement.  “With Velocity’s support we will be able to accelerate our plan to expand the network, making clinical trials ever more available to patients.

Durham-based Velocity Clinical expands to Europe with latest acquisition

Global expansion continues

The firm’s first foray into European markets came in July, when the company bought German company Clinical Research Hamburg.

At the time, the fast-growing Velocity Clinical noted that the firm had other deals lined up, including in the United Kingdom.

Now, following this latest deal, Velocity Clinical plans to “take full advantage of the growing dedicated clinical research ecosystem and demand,” Dominic Clavell, executive vice president, Europe at Velocity Clinical said in a statement.

“The size and importance of the UK market for clinical research cannot be underestimated,” Clavell noted.  “There is a focus on clinical trial regulation reform in a post-Brexit era to bring new treatments to patients faster.”

According to the company, the firm has overseen nearly 8,000 studies.  The firm supports global drug development through primarily conducting phase II and phase III clinical trials.  Since Velocity Clinical was itself acquired in April 2021 by private equity firm GHO Capital, Velocity has grown from 14 sites to more than 40 sites, including ones in Europe and in India.

Durham’s Velocity Clinical Research buys India-based company, adds new CTO