Linden Capital Partners and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan have partnered to launch a new clinical research platform.
The goal of the new but yet unnamed platform is to acquire and integrate a series of companies to revolutionize the clinical research sector by utilizing technology to maximize connections and collaborations among patients, research sites, and pharmaceutical companies.
Leading the new platform is Dr. John Potthoff, who is currently the chairman of Elligo Health Research, an Austin, Texas-based integrated research organization, has more than 30 years of leadership and operational experience in the life sciences and pharmaceutical services sectors. Over his career, Dr. Potthoff has successfully scaled and grown businesses as a founder, entrepreneur, and CEO.
“We believe our collaboration is a potential game-changer for clinical research. We see a significant gap in the industry and believe this strategic alliance will drive meaningful change and opportunity,” said Dr. Potthoff. “By integrating leading companies and leveraging advanced technologies, we aim to create a cohesive and interconnected clinical research environment. Recognizing the unique needs of each therapeutic and scientific area, we aim to streamline processes, enhance efficiencies, and foster collaborations that benefit all stakeholders, especially patients.”
Linden’s new platform will be chaired by Margaret Keegan, and operating partner at Linden and the current CEO of RQM+, a Pennsylvania-based provider of regulatory, quality, and compliance consulting services to medical device and in-vitro diagnostic product manufacturing companies. Ms. Keegan has over 25 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience and has held executive roles at large pharmaceutical and contract research organizations.
“I am excited to collaborate with Dr. Potthoff, Linden, and Ontario Teachers’ to realize our shared vision,” said Ms. Keegan. “We recognize the inefficiencies and shortcomings of clinical research services that impact patients, research sites, sponsors, and regulators, leading to delays in getting critical therapies to patients in need. Our commitment is to address these challenges head-on and catalyze positive change in our industry.”
Chicago-based Linden is focused exclusively on leveraged buyouts in the healthcare and life science industries with a specific interest in medical products, specialty distribution, pharmaceutical, and services segments of healthcare. Linden’s strategy is based on three elements: healthcare and life science industry specialization; integrated private equity and operating expertise; and strategic relationships with large corporations.
In December 2021, Linden held a hard cap close of its fifth buyout fund, Linden Capital Partners V LP, with $3 billion of capital commitments. The firm’s earlier fund closed in May 2018 at its hard cap of $1.5 billion.
Headquartered in Toronto, Teachers is one of Canada’s largest and most active pension investors with C$250 billion in assets under management. The group has additional offices in London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai and San Francisco.
© 2024 Private Equity Professional | February 14, 2024
Whistler Capital Partners has made an investment in AmeriPro Health, a tech-enabled provider of medical transportation and patient logistics services.
“At Whistler Capital, we have deep expertise in the intersection of healthcare and technology and AmeriPro’s focus on driving a better patient experience through data-driven solutions is a perfect fit with Whistler’s mission and investment approach,” said Geoff Clark, the managing partner at Whistler. “Suhas has built a tremendous team, and we are excited to support AmeriPro’s continued expansion and innovation as they continue to bring a differentiated level of efficiency and quality to patient care.”
“AmeriPro’s innovative solutions were developed to address longstanding pain points in patient logistics and transportation through rapid response, real-time patient care and have helped revolutionize the medical transport category,” said Darshan Prabhu, a partner at Whistler. “AmeriPro’s transformational leadership has done a fantastic job exploring and pioneering new industry solutions that drive exceptional client loyalty and robust organic growth, positioning the company well for its next stage of expansion.”
Nashville-based 
Marco Rubber & Plastics, a portfolio company of Align Capital Partners, has acquired Allied Metrics O-Rings & Seals, a distributor of specialty O-rings, seals and gaskets.
Naples, Florida-based 
Northleaf Capital Partners has held a final and above target closing of Northleaf Growth Fund LP (NGF), the firm’s first direct growth equity fund, with $212 million of capital.
“We are very pleased by the strong support from both new and existing investors in our growth fund,” said Mike Flood, a managing director and head of private equity at Northleaf. “Investors in our growth equity strategy benefit from the direct and secondary investment capabilities of the broader Northleaf global platform.”
“Our consistent, proactive deal sourcing approach, which leverages our deep relationships and extensive existing portfolio, enables us to source high-conviction opportunities for our investors,” said Ian Carew, a managing director and venture partner at Northleaf. “We are seeing a strong pipeline of opportunities, and our experienced team is excited to put capital to work on behalf of NGF’s investors at the attractive valuations available in the current environment.”
