Latest news with #ChrisSmyth
Cision Canada
22-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
EdgeCap-backed Comac Medical Group Expands with Acquisition of ILIFE Consulting, a French Early-phase Specialty CRO
Strategic acquisition marks significant step to establish pan-European footprint and deepens expertise in oncology and early-phase biotech clinical trials. LONDON, May 22, 2025 /CNW/ -- Comac Medical Group ("Group"), based in the UK and backed by EdgeCap Partners, announced today the acquisition of ILIFE Consulting ("ILIFE"), a specialized Contract Research Organization (CRO) headquartered in Paris, France, renowned for its expertise in oncology, rare diseases, and complex biotech clinical trials. The transaction represents a significant milestone for the Group on its journey to becoming the leading pan-European full-service CRO partner for small and medium-sized biopharma companies, and complements recent expansions into the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Founded in 2013 by Marina Iché, ILIFE has built a distinguished reputation for delivering high-value strategic consulting alongside clinical trial execution for biotech sponsors. ILIFE's addition to the Group will leverage complementary expertise and reach, thus creating new opportunities for clients, who will benefit from a complete service offering, including enhanced capabilities in biostatistics, data management, pharmacovigilance, bioanalytical services, and Comac Medical's state-of-the-art Early Phase Clinical Research Unit. ILIFE's founder and CEO, Marina Iché, will continue in her leadership role and become a significant shareholder in the Group to support strategic growth initiatives and to maintain continuity of ILIFE's values and services that have driven its success positioning it as a trusted partner in the biotech ecosystem. Marina Iché, Founder and CEO of ILIFE Consulting, stated: "Partnering with EdgeCap and Comac Medical Group marks an exciting new chapter for ILIFE. We share a deep commitment to quality, innovation, client-centric and agile service delivery. We mobilize our resources and energy to ensure successful partnerships with our clients. We listen and capitalize on our expertise to identify and bring the best solutions to support our clients in achieving their goals productively and efficiently. Joining forces allows us to leverage additional resources, broaden our service portfolio, and better serve our clients across Europe and beyond. We rely on the competence and integrity of our team whose dedication and energy drive us to work swiftly towards obtaining actionable results. I remain fully committed to ensuring continuity in ILIFE's services while pursuing our mission to bring meaningful innovation to patients." Chris Smyth, Incoming CEO of Comac Medical Group, said: "ILIFE Consulting's expertise and established presence in the French biotech ecosystem significantly strengthen our capabilities as part of the Group. I look forward to working closely with Marina and the ILIFE team as we collaborate to create meaningful value for our stakeholders and deliver excellence across our expanded geographic and therapeutic landscape." Today's announcement closely follows the Group's recent leadership appointments and international expansion initiatives, including new executive appointments – Dr. Chris Smyth as incoming CEO (effective 1 st September 2025), Christian Buhlmann as Chief Commercial Officer, and Peter Windisch as Chief Operations Officer – and Neil Ferguson as Chairman of the Board. About ILIFE Consulting ILIFE Consulting is a Paris-based CRO specialized in early-phase oncology and biotech development. Since 2013, ILIFE has partnered with emerging biotech companies to deliver tailored strategic and operational support – from protocol design to full clinical trial execution, including first-in-human and multi-country studies. With deep expertise in oncology, rare diseases, novel therapeutic modalities, and complex regulatory environments, ILIFE accelerates timelines, optimizes data quality, and helps its clients make confident, value-driven decisions. Trusted by over 20 biotech sponsors across Europe, ILIFE's senior team of scientific and clinical leaders is committed to delivering high-impact studies that bring innovation closer to patients. About Comac Medical Group Based in London, United Kingdom, Comac Medical Group is one of the leading pan-European, full-service CRO platforms striving to be the partner of choice for small and medium-sized biopharma clients globally. The Group is present in more than 30 countries across Western Europe and Central and Eastern Europe, providing a comprehensive range of early to late-phase drug development services across a variety of therapeutic areas including oncology, rare diseases, dermatology, gastroenterology, and respiratory diseases. Comac Medical's FDA and EMA-inspected Clinical Research Unit (CRU) for Phase I, bioavailability and bioequivalence studies has 20 years of experience in early-phase clinical research. Based in Sofia, the facility is the largest in the region and comprises 42 beds, an on-site pharmacy as well as a clinical and bioanalytical laboratory. EdgeCap is a London- and Tallinn-based mid-market private equity and growth capital firm targeting investments into high-quality companies in Europe. We partner with ambitious founders and management teams to develop strong local businesses into pan-European and global champions. EdgeCap was founded in 2021 by Kristjan Piilmann and Chris Backes, who have 20+ years of combined private equity and investment banking experience at bulge bracket firms including PSG Equity LLP, Morgan Stanley, Citi and Goldman Sachs.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EdgeCap-backed Comac Medical Group Expands with Acquisition of ILIFE Consulting, a French Early-phase Specialty CRO
Strategic acquisition marks significant step to establish pan-European footprint and deepens expertise in oncology and early-phase biotech clinical trials. LONDON, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Comac Medical Group ("Group"), based in the UK and backed by EdgeCap Partners, announced today the acquisition of ILIFE Consulting ("ILIFE"), a specialized Contract Research Organization (CRO) headquartered in Paris, France, renowned for its expertise in oncology, rare diseases, and complex biotech clinical trials. The transaction represents a significant milestone for the Group on its journey to becoming the leading pan-European full-service CRO partner for small and medium-sized biopharma companies, and complements recent expansions into the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Founded in 2013 by Marina Iché, ILIFE has built a distinguished reputation for delivering high-value strategic consulting alongside clinical trial execution for biotech sponsors. ILIFE's addition to the Group will leverage complementary expertise and reach, thus creating new opportunities for clients, who will benefit from a complete service offering, including enhanced capabilities in biostatistics, data management, pharmacovigilance, bioanalytical services, and Comac Medical's state-of-the-art Early Phase Clinical Research Unit. ILIFE's founder and CEO, Marina Iché, will continue in her leadership role and become a significant shareholder in the Group to support strategic growth initiatives and to maintain continuity of ILIFE's values and services that have driven its success positioning it as a trusted partner in the biotech ecosystem. Marina Iché, Founder and CEO of ILIFE Consulting, stated: "Partnering with EdgeCap and Comac Medical Group marks an exciting new chapter for ILIFE. We share a deep commitment to quality, innovation, client-centric and agile service delivery. We mobilize our resources and energy to ensure successful partnerships with our clients. We listen and capitalize on our expertise to identify and bring the best solutions to support our clients in achieving their goals productively and efficiently. Joining forces allows us to leverage additional resources, broaden our service portfolio, and better serve our clients across Europe and beyond. We rely on the competence and integrity of our team whose dedication and energy drive us to work swiftly towards obtaining actionable results. I remain fully committed to ensuring continuity in ILIFE's services while pursuing our mission to bring meaningful innovation to patients." Chris Smyth, Incoming CEO of Comac Medical Group, said: "ILIFE Consulting's expertise and established presence in the French biotech ecosystem significantly strengthen our capabilities as part of the Group. I look forward to working closely with Marina and the ILIFE team as we collaborate to create meaningful value for our stakeholders and deliver excellence across our expanded geographic and therapeutic landscape." Today's announcement closely follows the Group's recent leadership appointments and international expansion initiatives, including new executive appointments – Dr. Chris Smyth as incoming CEO (effective 1st September 2025), Christian Buhlmann as Chief Commercial Officer, and Peter Windisch as Chief Operations Officer – and Neil Ferguson as Chairman of the Board. About ILIFE Consulting ILIFE Consulting is a Paris-based CRO specialized in early-phase oncology and biotech development. Since 2013, ILIFE has partnered with emerging biotech companies to deliver tailored strategic and operational support – from protocol design to full clinical trial execution, including first-in-human and multi-country studies. With deep expertise in oncology, rare diseases, novel therapeutic modalities, and complex regulatory environments, ILIFE accelerates timelines, optimizes data quality, and helps its clients make confident, value-driven decisions. Trusted by over 20 biotech sponsors across Europe, ILIFE's senior team of scientific and clinical leaders is committed to delivering high-impact studies that bring innovation closer to patients. About Comac Medical Group Based in London, United Kingdom, Comac Medical Group is one of the leading pan-European, full-service CRO platforms striving to be the partner of choice for small and medium-sized biopharma clients globally. The Group is present in more than 30 countries across Western Europe and Central and Eastern Europe, providing a comprehensive range of early to late-phase drug development services across a variety of therapeutic areas including oncology, rare diseases, dermatology, gastroenterology, and respiratory diseases. Comac Medical's FDA and EMA-inspected Clinical Research Unit (CRU) for Phase I, bioavailability and bioequivalence studies has 20 years of experience in early-phase clinical research. Based in Sofia, the facility is the largest in the region and comprises 42 beds, an on-site pharmacy as well as a clinical and bioanalytical laboratory. About EdgeCap Partners EdgeCap is a London- and Tallinn-based mid-market private equity and growth capital firm targeting investments into high-quality companies in Europe. We partner with ambitious founders and management teams to develop strong local businesses into pan-European and global champions. EdgeCap was founded in 2021 by Kristjan Piilmann and Chris Backes, who have 20+ years of combined private equity and investment banking experience at bulge bracket firms including PSG Equity LLP, Morgan Stanley, Citi and Goldman Sachs. View original content: SOURCE EdgeCap Partners Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
28-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Comac Medical Announces New Leadership Appointments and International Expansion
Leadership transition and strategic growth initiatives mark the next phase of Comac Medical's development under EdgeCap Partners. SOFIA, Bulgaria, April 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Comac Medical, a leading full-service Contract Research Organization (CRO) in Central and Eastern Europe, announced today the appointment of a new CEO and Board Chair and the launch of an international expansion initiative. Leadership Appointments Dr. Chris Smyth has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1st September. Based in the UK, Dr. Smyth brings over two decades of executive leadership in global CROs and biotech-focused clinical research. Most recently, he served as President of ICON Biotech, and prior to that, held multiple senior roles at IQVIA Biotech including President and COO. Comac Medical has also established a new Supervisory Board, chaired by Neil Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson is an experienced global commercial leader with over 35 years in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, with over 25 years in the outsourced services sector, including Syneos Health and Quintiles, where he held senior roles driving significant revenue growth and operational scale. Mr. Ferguson will lead the Supervisory Board consisting of Comac Medical's founder and Honorary Chairman Dr. Milen Vrabevski and EdgeCap representatives Dr. Günter Schmid, Christopher Backes and Kristjan Piilmann. Today's appointments mark a significant milestone for Comac Medical as it enters its next phase of development, building upon the recent additions of two seasoned industry leaders based in Germany, Christian Buhlmann as Chief Commercial Officer and Peter Windisch as Chief Operations Officer. International Expansion Comac Medical has established local entities and teams in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom to supplement the strong presence Comac Medical already has in Central and Eastern Europe. Dedicated business development teams have been launched in those countries, including on the East and West Coasts of the US, to support biotech and pharma clients in key innovation hubs. In parallel to its organic expansion, Comac Medical will continue its targeted M&A strategy with the goal of becoming the leading pan-European full-service CRO for biotech and biopharma customers. Leadership Commentary 'I am thrilled to join Comac Medical at this exciting time of transformation and growth,' said Dr. Chris Smyth, incoming CEO. 'We are building on a strong legacy, expanding our regional footprint, and staying focused on delivering exceptional value to our clients and providing opportunities for our teams.' 'It is an honor to support this leadership team and work with EdgeCap and Comac Medical on this next phase,' said Neil Ferguson, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. 'We look forward to creating long-term value for our stakeholders and accelerating growth across key markets.' 'As founder of Comac Medical, I am immensely proud to see our organization — a champion of clinical research in Bulgaria and the CEE region — embark on a new chapter of international expansion,' said Dr. Milen Vrabevski, Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board. 'This evolution reflects the strength of our foundation and the global relevance of our mission.' 'I would like to thank our co-CEOs, Dr. Rossitsa Vrabevska and Vladimir Goranov, for leading the company through a successful founder transition period. A warm welcome also to the incoming leadership team which will undoubtedly add significant momentum to our growth ambitions,' said Christopher Backes, Co-Founder of EdgeCap Partners. About Comac Medical Comac Medical, established in 1997 in Sofia, Bulgaria, is one of the largest full-service clinical research organizations (CRO) in Central and Eastern Europe, present in more than 30 countries, providing a comprehensive range of early to late-phase drug development services to the global pharmaceutical and biotech industries across a variety of therapeutic areas including oncology, rare diseases, dermatology, gastroenterology, and respiratory diseases. The Company has a global customer base consisting of emerging biotech and established pharma companies, offering full outsourced clinical trial support across the entire clinical development spectrum. Comac Medical's FDA and EMA-inspected Clinical Research Unit (CRU) for Phase I, Bioavailability and Bioequivalence studies has 20 years of experience in early phase clinical research. The facility is the largest in the region and comprises 42 beds, an on-site pharmacy as well as a clinical and bioanalytical laboratory. Visit our company website. About EdgeCap Partners EdgeCap is a London- and Tallinn-based mid-market private equity and growth capital firm targeting investments in high-quality companies in Europe. We partner with ambitious founders and management teams to develop strong local businesses into pan-European and global champions. EdgeCap was founded in 2021 by Kristjan Piilmann and Chris Backes, who have 20+ years of combined private equity and investment banking experience at bulge bracket firms including PSG Equity LLP, Morgan Stanley, Citi and Goldman Sachs. Logo - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE EdgeCap Partners
Cision Canada
28-04-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Comac Medical Announces New Leadership Appointments and International Expansion
Leadership transition and strategic growth initiatives mark the next phase of Comac Medical's development under EdgeCap Partners. SOFIA, Bulgaria, April 28, 2025 /CNW/ -- Comac Medical, a leading full-service Contract Research Organization (CRO) in Central and Eastern Europe, announced today the appointment of a new CEO and Board Chair and the launch of an international expansion initiative. Leadership Appointments Dr. Chris Smyth has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 st September. Based in the UK, Dr. Smyth brings over two decades of executive leadership in global CROs and biotech-focused clinical research. Most recently, he served as President of ICON Biotech, and prior to that, held multiple senior roles at IQVIA Biotech including President and COO. Comac Medical has also established a new Supervisory Board, chaired by Neil Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson is an experienced global commercial leader with over 35 years in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, with over 25 years in the outsourced services sector, including Syneos Health and Quintiles, where he held senior roles driving significant revenue growth and operational scale. Mr. Ferguson will lead the Supervisory Board consisting of Comac Medical's founder and Honorary Chairman Dr. Milen Vrabevski and EdgeCap representatives Dr. Günter Schmid, Christopher Backes and Kristjan Piilmann. Today's appointments mark a significant milestone for Comac Medical as it enters its next phase of development, building upon the recent additions of two seasoned industry leaders based in Germany, Christian Buhlmann as Chief Commercial Officer and Peter Windisch as Chief Operations Officer. International Expansion Comac Medical has established local entities and teams in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom to supplement the strong presence Comac Medical already has in Central and Eastern Europe. Dedicated business development teams have been launched in those countries, including on the East and West Coasts of the US, to support biotech and pharma clients in key innovation hubs. In parallel to its organic expansion, Comac Medical will continue its targeted M&A strategy with the goal of becoming the leading pan-European full-service CRO for biotech and biopharma customers. Leadership Commentary "I am thrilled to join Comac Medical at this exciting time of transformation and growth," said Dr. Chris Smyth, incoming CEO. "We are building on a strong legacy, expanding our regional footprint, and staying focused on delivering exceptional value to our clients and providing opportunities for our teams." "It is an honor to support this leadership team and work with EdgeCap and Comac Medical on this next phase," said Neil Ferguson, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. "We look forward to creating long-term value for our stakeholders and accelerating growth across key markets." "As founder of Comac Medical, I am immensely proud to see our organization — a champion of clinical research in Bulgaria and the CEE region — embark on a new chapter of international expansion," said Dr. Milen Vrabevski, Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board. "This evolution reflects the strength of our foundation and the global relevance of our mission." "I would like to thank our co-CEOs, Dr. Rossitsa Vrabevska and Vladimir Goranov, for leading the company through a successful founder transition period. A warm welcome also to the incoming leadership team which will undoubtedly add significant momentum to our growth ambitions," said Christopher Backes, Co-Founder of EdgeCap Partners. About Comac Medical Comac Medical, established in 1997 in Sofia, Bulgaria, is one of the largest full-service clinical research organizations (CRO) in Central and Eastern Europe, present in more than 30 countries, providing a comprehensive range of early to late-phase drug development services to the global pharmaceutical and biotech industries across a variety of therapeutic areas including oncology, rare diseases, dermatology, gastroenterology, and respiratory diseases. The Company has a global customer base consisting of emerging biotech and established pharma companies, offering full outsourced clinical trial support across the entire clinical development spectrum. Comac Medical's FDA and EMA-inspected Clinical Research Unit (CRU) for Phase I, Bioavailability and Bioequivalence studies has 20 years of experience in early phase clinical research. The facility is the largest in the region and comprises 42 beds, an on-site pharmacy as well as a clinical and bioanalytical laboratory. Visit our company website. About EdgeCap Partners EdgeCap is a London- and Tallinn-based mid-market private equity and growth capital firm targeting investments in high-quality companies in Europe. We partner with ambitious founders and management teams to develop strong local businesses into pan-European and global champions. EdgeCap was founded in 2021 by Kristjan Piilmann and Chris Backes, who have 20+ years of combined private equity and investment banking experience at bulge bracket firms including PSG Equity LLP, Morgan Stanley, Citi and Goldman Sachs.
