Business Expansion through Acquisitions

Connecticut-based Great Point Partners is a healthcare investment firm that was founded in 2003. Great Point Partners invests in public and private sector healthcare organizations.

Recently, the firm announced an acquisition completed by one of its portfolio companies, Aris Radiology. Aris acquired US Teleradiology in October of 2016, enhancing its status as one of the leading radiology providers in the United States. An acquisition is a common business tactic implemented by corporations as part of a broader growth strategy.

Acquisitions refer to one corporation assuming control of another through cash transactions, the purchase of shares, or both. Acquisitions – also referred to as takeovers – are considered to be either friendly or hostile. A friendly acquisition occurs when the firm being acquired has agreed to the takeover and is involved in the process, while a hostile takeover does not include this mutual agreement. In a hostile acquisition, the acquiring firm forces the takeover to move forward by aggressively purchasing a majority share in the business.

Clinical Trials Occur in Four Phases to Determine Treatment Safety

Great Point Partners, based in Greenwich, Connecticut, manages capital in private and public equity funds. Great Point Partners recently provided growth recapitalization capital to Alliance Biomedical Research, a leader in clinical trial research that focuses on Phase II to IV clinical trials.

Clinical trials occur in four phases. In Phase I, researchers test the treatment, medication, or device utilizing a small group of volunteers. This the first attempt to test with humans. The researchers evaluate the treatment in terms of safety, dosage (for medications), and repeated side effects.

In Phase II, the treatment is monitored within a larger group of people, still being observed for contraindications and side effects.

In Phase III, the treatment is tested within large groups to confirm that it is effective, to monitor side effects, and to compare it to other treatments currently available. The treatment is still being evaluated during this phase for safety issues.

In Phase IV, the treatment is placed on the market. During this phase of the study, researchers evaluate the treatment among diverse groups of people, and collect information regarding the long-term side effects of the drug or treatment.