Worldwide Clinical Trials has entered a definitive agreement to acquire oncology contract research organisation (CRO) Catalyst Clinical Research.
The transaction will see Catalyst Board chairman Nick Dyer join Worldwide’s board of directors while Catalyst president and CEO Nik Morton will become part of Worldwide’s executive leadership team.
This acquisition aims to establish Worldwide as an oncology-focused CRO while maintaining depth in several therapeutic areas and expanding its global reach for clinical trials.
The integration will combine Catalyst’s solutions, Catalyst Flex and Catalyst Oncology, with Worldwide’s existing portfolio, offering customers expanded services for full-service, functional service provider (FSP) resourcing, and hybrid models.
Additionally, the deal includes the adoption of complementary technology platforms and operational practices to enhance data efficiency and visibility across the development lifecycle.
Worldwide will acquire Catalyst for an undisclosed sum pending customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to conclude in Q1 2026.
Worldwide is backed by Kohlberg while Catalyst is a portfolio company of QHP Capital. BofA Securities advised Catalyst exclusively; Smith Anderson was its legal counsel. Greenberg Traurig acted as legal counsel for Worldwide.
Worldwide CEO Alistair Macdonald said: “Bringing Worldwide and Catalyst together elevates our capabilities in oncology and provides a new solution for our collective customers.
“We are excited to add Catalyst’s deep operational expertise and oncology credibility to our own well-known CNS specialist CRO capabilities to create a differentiated biotech-oriented oncology solution. Our combined customers seek focused senior executive connection and attention, predictability, speed, flexibility, and scientific rigour.
“They will benefit from the addition of a scalable FSP model with integrated onshore/offshore service lines while we leverage advanced business management tools and AI to drive operational excellence.”
In May 2024, Medidata announced an expanded partnership with Worldwide to expedite clinical trials and enhance the patient experience.
