Acquisition Extends Phase Forward’s Integrated Clinical Research
Suite and Marks Entry into ePRO and Observational Studies Markets
Phase Forward (NASDAQ: PFWD), a leading provider of data management
solutions for clinical trials and drug safety, today announced it has
acquired privately held Maaguzi LLC, an innovative provider of
Web-based, electronic patient reported outcomes (ePRO) and late phase
solutions, for $11 million in cash. Maaguzi has operations in
Indianapolis, Ind. and Morrisville, N.C.
The acquisition of Maaguzi extends Phase Forward’s integrated clinical
research suite (ICRS) and marks the company’s entry into the
increasingly important ePRO and observational studies markets.
Clinical studies are progressively incorporating data reported directly
by patients, and electronic methods of collecting patient input offer
superior quality and help to ensure higher levels of regulatory
compliance than traditional paper diary methods. While this market was
initially addressed with PDA-based solutions, Maaguzi’s technology is
pioneering the next generation of ePRO solutions that leverage Web-based
interfaces, providing greater cost-effectiveness and the ability to
address a broader range of ePRO market requirements.
There is also a growing focus on late phase, observational studies and
registries that combine investigator-collected and patient-reported
data. Maaguzi’s Outcome Logix™ product unifies both
investigator-collected and patient-reported data into a single, flexible
Web-based system supported on all common browsers.
“The acquisition of Maaguzi is another step in our strategy of providing
customers with an end-to-end, integrated clinical research suite for
efficiently managing all of their trials,” said Bob Weiler, chairman and
CEO, Phase Forward. “Our customers tell us that improving the
involvement of patients and other parties in the clinical research and
post-marketing areas is of critical importance, and Maaguzi’s technology
leadership in this area will help us meet that need. We welcome Maaguzi
to the Phase Forward team.”
“Phase Forward and Maaguzi share a commitment to the use of innovative
technology for optimizing the clinical trial process,” said Scott Dixon,
COO, Maaguzi, who is joining Phase Forward as vice president of its
newly formed Outcome Logix Group.
