We Deliver on
Your Promises

Optimapharm d.o.o. (“Optimapharm”), a leading European, mid-sized, full-service Clinical Research Organization (CRO) that provides successful tailor-made clinical research solutions to Biotech, Pharma and Medical Device companies, is delighted to announce the acquisitions of SSS International Clinical Research (“SSS”) and Crown CRO, significantly strengthening its presence in key European markets in Western and Northern Europe and expanding its in-house capabilities, for the benefit of its biopharmaceutical clients worldwide.

Founded in 2006 in Zagreb, Croatia, Optimapharm manages clinical trials across Europe, operating through 18 offices in 29 European countries. Optimapharm provides full-service solutions and offers unrivalled access to patients and Investigators, covering markets with a total population of over 500 million people. Optimapharm conducts phase I – IV studies in all therapeutic areas with a specific focus on Oncology, Neurosciences, Cardio-endocrinology-metabolic and Infectious diseases. With very strong operational teams, Optimapharm is also a leading CRO for Medical Device companies and has a reputation for excellence in rescuing studies.

The acquisitions of SSS and Crown CRO will complement Optimapharm’s service offering and geographical coverage in Europe, strengthening its reputation for premium professional services at the highest industry standards, as evidenced by Optimapharm continuously achieving 95% repeated business.

Created in 1993, and based in Germering, Germany, SSS brings almost three decades of experience in managing projects across all phases of clinical development. SSS offers a comprehensive portfolio of services which are tailored to meet the individual needs of each of their multiple clients from Pharma, Biotech, Medical Device and In Vitro Diagnostics. The SSS team of over 50 highly experienced employees, have developed deep expertise in operating Non-Interventional studies in particular Post-Authorization Safety Studies and their specific challenges when guiding and supporting sites to obtaining high quality data. SSS also has strong expertise in the management of complex oncology and haemato-oncology trials.

Established in 2005, and based in Espoo, Finland, Crown CRO is a highly reputable full-service CRO with a strong presence in the Nordic and Baltic regions. Specialized in customer-oriented, competitive, and flexible services for clinical trials and regulatory affairs in Europe, Crown CRO has over 15 years’ expertise serving the pharmaceutical, biotech, functional food, and Medical Device industries. Crown CRO is an international family of over 100 employees from different educational, cultural, and ethnical backgrounds, who work tirelessly every day to provide services of the highest quality to our customers.

By acquiring SSS and Crown CRO, Optimapharm reinforces its position as a mid-sized European CRO market leader. With additional offices located in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Romania and Sweden the combined organisation now comprises over 400 employees, reinforcing its footprint in Europe and offering additional resources and expertise to its clients.

Moving forward, Optimapharm will continue to pursue a growth strategy to capitalise on the expanding clinical research market through the combination of organic growth and targeted investments into complementary organisations. Optimapharm is committed to identifying and realizing market opportunities to best support its clients, employees, and growth as an organization.

“We are delighted to be combining forces with SSS Internal Clinical Research and Crown CRO. By expanding our operational capabilities and our geographic footprint, we are proactively transforming our service profile for the immediate benefit of our loyal clients.
The three organizations are highly complementary in terms of service profile but also share a philosophy of providing best-in-class, flexible and tailored solutions for our clients.” said Dr. Gordana Gregurić Čičak, Chief Operating Officer of Optimapharm.

Optimapharm has successfully acquired and integrated several acquisitions across Europe in recent years. The acquisitions of SSS International Clinical Research and Crown CRO come after the Syntax for Science acquisition performed a year ago. Optimapharm’s strong growth is supported by significant investment from The Rohatyn Group (“TRG”), an emerging markets focused asset management firm. These latest acquisitions demonstrate the shareholders’ commitment to continue accelerating Optimapharm’s development along a path begun by Optimapharm’s co-founders, Gordana Gregurić Čičak and Igor Čičak.

Dr Michael Sigmund, Chief Executive Officer of SSS International Clinical Research added, “SSS International Clinical Research will contribute its high-quality standards and strong operational foundation, to perfectly complement Optimapharm’s existing breadth of services. Our entire team is profoundly excited to join Optimapharm and contribute as a key asset to support the Company’s future growth.”

Päivi Itkonen, Chief Executive Officer of Crown CRO confirmed the fantastic future in front of Optimapharm, by adding “Crown CRO will contribute to the wider European footprint together with a highly-skilled and experienced operational team to reinforce the leadership of Optimapharm in developing, conducting and rescuing clinical trials”.

Optimapharm – We deliver on your promises.

About Optimapharm
Founded in 2006 in Croatia, Optimapharm is a leading, full-service, contract research organization (“CRO”) managing clinical trials on behalf of the global biopharmaceutical and medical device companies. Optimapharm’s key differentiators are its track record of delivery excellence, committed and stable project teams, unrivalled access to patients in the emerging markets of Eastern and central Europe, with strong presence throughout Europe, and a customer focused approach that has led to over 95% repeat business. These differentiators enable Optimapharm to offer a highly cost-effective clinical development solution; We Deliver on Your Promises. Web site: https://optimapharm.eu/

About SSS
SSS is an internationally operating Clinical Research Organisation (CRO), we have managed clinical trials in almost 20 countries. Starting with quality assurance services back in 1993 we have successfully run more than 250 clinical trials and non-interventional studies to date. Our clients are ‘big pharma’ (4 out of the top ten), biotech, diagnostics and MedTech companies. We are a full-service provider covering every aspect of clinical research. Web site: https://www.cro-sss.de/

About Crown CRO
Having participated in over 900 clinical trials in 18+ countries in the past 5 years and adhering stringently to good clinical research practice, our team offers a broad range of expertise, high credibility, and unparalleled quality. Success is based on local expertise. We know the local regulatory processes and requirements and have a wide network of investigators and key opinion leaders, enabling us to successfully complete our commitments to our customers. A consistently low staff turnover rate means that people are both dedicated and profoundly clued up on the industry and its processes and challenges. Web site: https://crowncro.fi/