Triclinium Clinical Research, Africa’s largest independent niche CRO, and holding company Acquipharma, have merged to extend clinical research and development business activities in sub-Saharan Africa and other emerging markets. Under the shared umbrella of Acquipharma, Triclinium will collaborate with Cytespace Africa, a Pretoria-based site solutions organization (SSO).

Triclinium will retain its name, having become a widely recognized brand through 14 years of implementing 230 contracts for 85 clients across 15 African countries, with recent growth of operations in Asia and Europe. Cytespace Africa already provides services to customers in the South African pharmaceutical sector. Together the two companies will have a synergistic effect on the clinical development market in sub-Saharan Africa as well as other emerging regions.

Victor Strugo, founder of Triclinium, will remain managing director. Gillian Corken and professor Oppel Greeff, who started Africa’s first commercial CRO, Clindepharm, in 1990, will serve on the board.