Clinical research trials across the ditch now has a new look, as New Zealand Clinical Research (NZCR) has successfully acquired two Australia-based clinical research trial providers.
Adelaide-based CMAX Clinical Research, and its subsidiary Fusion Clinical Research, now join the NZCR Group.
With this acquisition, NZCR expands its reach to over 150 trial beds across Auckland, Christchurch, and Adelaide, and giving overseas pharmaceutical partners access to a combined population of more than 30 million people. The acquisition positions NZCR as the largest independent clinical trials provider in Australasia, offering unmatched scale and capability.
Both New Zealand and Australian clinical trials are recognised for their rigid clinical trial framework, and are renowned worldwide for their strict ethical standards, approvals process, and ability to provide top-tier clinical research trials to pharmaceutical and biotech companies worldwide.
For overseas pharmaceutical and biotech companies, this acquisition represents a unique opportunity to partner with a single, trusted provider across two of the world’s most respected clinical trial environments. By leveraging NZCR’s expanded footprint and unified processes, international sponsors can access the benefits of a rigorous, multi-phase trial environment.
Clinical research trials are a key part of the testing, regulatory approval and eventual implementation of new or emerging medical solutions. The acquisition now expands the pool of potential trial applicants, which will prove particularly useful in supporting trials for rare or complex conditions where participant numbers can be limited among a smaller population pool.
NZCR Group chief executive Tony Moffatt said the purchase would help streamline approvals and trial timelines.
“When we combine both New Zealand and Australia’s research capacity, it gives our pharmaceutical partners a more reliable and high-quality path to global regulatory approval.”
Moffatt said global partners often needed trials results for multiple medical jurisdictions for regulatory approval. The acquisition will now enable the same study to be run across both companies under one clinical trial provider in Australasia, streamlining that process.
NZCR has an extensive history in providing clinical trials. Since its formation in 2020 through the merger of Christchurch Clinical Studies Trust and Auckland Clinical Studies, the group has since delivered more than 1,700 clinical trials across all phases.
Both Australian operations will remain under their existing brand names, and NZCR said a priority was ensuring there would be minimal disruption to their operations.