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
