Veristat Expands Scale With SFL Purchase

Veristat is expanding and strengthening its service capabilities by acquiring SFL (Solutions for Life Sciences). With headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, and several European affiliates, SFL brings unique capabilities and a highly credentialed team to support a growing number of biotech, pharmaceutical and medtech companies.

Neither company disclosed the deal’s terms.

“With scientific advances increasing our understanding of complex therapeutic challenges, our clients increasingly seek a CRO partner with experience in addressing the intricate challenges in program design, clinical trial conduct, and the regulatory approval and commercialization process,” stated Patrick Flanagan, CEO at Veristat. “We have been impressed with Shayesteh and the entire SFL team who have a reputation for delivering high quality, precision and value. Adding SFL’s talented team and services to Veristat’s offering will unlock meaningful potential and strengthen our ability to positively influence the scientific progress, regulatory assessment and launch success for patients with difficult-to-treat diseases and conditions.”
 
Led by Founder and CEO Shayesteh Fürst-Ladani, the SFL team has longstanding experience in providing strategic advice and operational support for all stages of product development, with in-house expertise for a broad range of product types including small molecules, biologics, drug-device combination products, medical devices, in-vitro diagnostics (IVDs) and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). The SFL team has extensive experience across a range of therapeutic areas, from specialized expertise in the field of orphan diseases and oncology to future healthcare solutions that combine drugs with artificial intelligence (AI), devices and diagnostics. SFL is embedded in the European, U.K., and Swiss healthcare ecosystem and enables a competitive advantage for U.S.-based companies seeking entry into European markets.   

“The acquisition of SFL adds EU, U.K. and Swiss policy experience in the pharmaceutical sector as well as in the medtech field,” commented Montse Barceló Riera, M.D., vice president, Europe, for Veristat. “We are now able to further support the health and well-being of Europeans by championing access to high quality medical treatments.”
 
With SFL, Veristat also expands quality assurance and pharmacovigilance capabilities into Europe and extends its core service areas into public affairs, market access, supply chain and healthcare compliance. Veristat and SFL share common and extensive competencies in the areas of regulatory affairs, strategic consulting and medical writing with complementary geographic focus. Overlaying Veristat’s biometrics and clinical trial operations capabilities, the joining of the organizations creates a multi-services force around clinical research and development to successfully meet the goals of sponsors and clients with an interest in the European region. 
 
“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to unite two experienced and deeply committed teams with a passion for quality and bold thinking,” stated Fürst-Ladani. “We are now equipped with capabilities to deliver even greater value for sponsors and clients. I share Veristat’s commitment to scientific integrity, performance and long-lasting client relationships and am thrilled to be embarking on a new journey of growth together.”
 
SFL is a Swiss-based consultancy with affiliates in Austria, Germany, and the U.K. providing integrated solutions to pharma, biotech and medtech companies for global and local activities from bench to market. SFL’s in-house expertise and services mirror key functions across a pharma or medtech product’s life cycle: regulatory affairs, quality assurance, pharmacovigilance, medical writing, market access, public affairs, supply chain and healthcare compliance. SFL supports a variety of clients and sponsors ranging from large pharmaceutical companies to emerging biotechs, and leading diagnostics and medical devices manufacturers. SFL can act as Applicant for a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) and as Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) in Switzerland, the EU and the U.K., and conduct submissions to health authorities globally including Japan’s PMDA and Health Canada through long-term local partners.
 
Veristat, a scientific-minded global clinical research organization (CRO), enables sponsors to solve the unique and complex challenges associated with accelerating therapies through clinical development to regulatory approval. With more than 27 years’ experience in clinical trial planning and execution, Veristat is equipped to support any development program.