Danforth Advisors, LLC announced on August 25, 2025, the acquisition of PharmaDirections, Inc., a full-spectrum development partner to life science companies, significantly expanding its integrated capabilities from discovery through commercialization. The strategic acquisition positions Danforth as a comprehensive resource for pharmaceutical R&D services across all development stages.
Virtual Drug Development Pioneer Joins Danforth Platform
Founded in 2003, PharmaDirections was a pioneer of the virtual drug development model, bringing veteran program leaders and more than 150 specialists to support strategic planning and execution from company incubation to approval. The company's expertise spans discovery, early to late stage non-clinical and clinical development, translational sciences, and all areas of chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) with full program and alliance management oversight across all major modalities and therapeutic areas.
Michelle Higgin, PhD, will continue in her role as CEO of PharmaDirections following the acquisition. "For more than 20 years, it's been our privilege to partner strategically and operationally with outstanding biotech companies developing state of the art therapies," said Dr. Higgin. "Joining forces with Danforth expands our platform to build, grow, and sustain successful businesses beyond just the science."
Comprehensive Drug Development Capabilities
The acquisition enables Danforth to provide deep drug development expertise across all stages from discovery through approval, covering critical functional areas including discovery research, non-clinical development, manufacturing, project management, translational research, clinical operations, medical writing, regulatory strategy, and publishing. This comprehensive approach addresses the complex challenges faced by life science companies throughout the drug development lifecycle.
"PharmaDirections and Danforth share more than capabilities – we share a philosophy of partnership and problem-solving for life science companies," said Chris Connors, CEO of Danforth Advisors. "By bringing our teams together, we're creating a unified resource that helps innovators overcome the most complex challenges in drug development while keeping the mission – getting new therapies to patients – at the heart of everything we do."
Strategic Expansion Through Acquisitions
PharmaDirections represents the sixth organization to join Danforth, following a series of strategic acquisitions including VPMR, Advyzom, and BW Health Group in 2024, Elite BioPharma Consulting in 2023, and Argot Partners in 2022. The acquisition builds upon previous additions of Elite BioPharma Consulting for clinical operations and Advyzom for regulatory services, enabling Danforth to provide integrated teams that support clients seamlessly and collaboratively to deliver on drug development and regulatory milestones.
In December 2021, Danforth announced an investment by Avesi Partners, LLC, to accelerate plans to meet an ever-broadening scope of strategic and operational needs for life science companies. By uniting the capabilities of its affiliates, Danforth provides cohesive strategies, accelerates execution, and delivers streamlined support across business, clinical, and commercial functions.
Industry Impact and Client Base
Founded in 2011, Danforth has partnered with more than 1,500 life science companies, both private and public, across all stages of the corporate lifecycle. The company serves clients globally from its base in Waltham, Massachusetts, with regional operations in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina, California, and London.
PharmaDirections guides biotech and pharmaceutical companies through drug development efficiently, strategically, and cost-effectively to help new therapies reach the market. As pioneers of the virtual biotech model, the firm provides full-spectrum drug development expertise from early discovery to regulatory approval without the overhead of a full in-house team, offering integrated support spanning preclinical and clinical strategy, CMC and formulation, regulatory affairs, and full program management.
