Altasciences Further Expands Its Footprint With Algorithme Pharma USA

November 20, 2014

By Krystle Vermes, BioSpace.com Breaking News Staff

Canadian holding company Altasciences announced today that it has opened Algorithme Pharma USA, expanding the company further across North America to provide clinical drug capabilities in the U.S.

The new company is situated in Fargo, N.D., and will focus on conducting bioequivalence and bioavailability trials. Algorithme Pharma USA is an extension of Algorithme Pharma in Montreal, which serves as a full service early stage clinical CRO.

“Based on feedback from our U.S. client base, it has been an objective of ours to expand into the U.S. to provide additional options for accelerated study start-ups, studies with controlled substances and studies requiring more than one clinical site,” said Chris Perkin, chief executive officer. “The site in Fargo provides us with a unique opportunity to leverage the expertise of a highly qualified team that matches Altasciences’ philosophy of offering excellence in customer service and the best quality early stage clinical development services.”

Jim Carlson will lead a team of industry leaders at Algorithme Pharma USA. His colleagues have extensive experience in the early development of clinical trials and early phase research.

Canadian Expansion
In January, Algorithme Pharma announced that it would be expanding its clinical facility located in Montreal with the addition of a seventh clinical unit, for a total of 265 beds. The design incorporated three independent lounges and soundproof dormitories.

“In response to our sponsors’ early phase development needs, we’ve added 41 hospital beds to our existing footprint,” said Ingrid Holmes, the vice president of clinical operations at Algorithme Pharma.

“The new clinic is a great addition to our existing facility. The flexibility in the open concept design allows for increasingly complex protocol functions to occur either in a common area or at the bedside,” she said. “This design feature, coupled with the ability to perform studies requiring intensive safety monitoring, makes this a unique space. The clinic has been designed for safety, functionality and the comfort of our study participants, and will allow us to continue to increase our service offering in the early phase market.”

Algorithme Pharma has more than 20 years of experience in the industry and conducts more than 200 clinical trials each year. It has multiple support services including bioanalysis, data management, biostatistics and clinical pharmacology.