Iterative Health Expands Cardiovascular Research Network Through Strategic Partnership and Acquisition
Key Insights
Iterative Health partnered with US Heart & Vascular (search) to advance community-based cardiovascular research, adding USHV research sites to its global network spanning over 100 sites across three continents.
The company acquired three cardiology sites from NextStage Clinical Research (search) in Texas, expanding its cardiovascular research capabilities in key markets where cardiovascular disease (search) affects nearly half of all U.S. adults.
These strategic moves reinforce Iterative Health's position as a trusted research partner across therapeutic areas, now spanning GI, hepatology, obesity, and cardiovascular care with industry-leading trial performance.
Iterative Health has significantly expanded its cardiovascular research capabilities through two major strategic initiatives, positioning the healthcare technology and services company as a key player in community-based cardiovascular clinical trials. The company announced both a strategic partnership with US Heart & Vascular (search) (USHV) and the acquisition of three cardiology sites from NextStage Clinical Research (search), marking its definitive entry into cardiovascular medicine.
Strategic Partnership with US Heart & Vascular
Under the partnership agreement announced in April 2026, USHV research sites joined Iterative Health's global site network, which now spans over 100 sites across three continents. The collaboration represents a major milestone for both organizations, strengthening USHV's leadership in community-based cardiovascular research while expanding Iterative Health's multispecialty focus beyond GI, hepatology, and obesity into cardiology.
"Clinical research is one of the most powerful ways we expand access, improve patient outcomes, and shape the future of cardiovascular care," said Robbie Allen, chief executive officer of US Heart & Vascular (search). "By partnering with Iterative Health, we are strengthening our ability to bring innovative therapies directly into the communities we serve."
The partnership provides USHV clinical research sites with access to Iterative Health's centralized operational backbone, offering end-to-end support across clinical research operations, services, business development, technology innovation, and corporate functions. This strategic approach reduces operational complexity and unlocks growth potential for USHV research sites while enabling all USHV physicians to expand access to cutting-edge therapies to the thousands of patients they serve annually.
Acquisition of Texas Cardiology Sites
In May 2026, Iterative Health announced the acquisition of three cardiology sites from NextStage Clinical Research (search), with Bourne Partners (search) serving as exclusive financial advisor on the transaction. The sites, located in Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Waco, Texas, are high-performing cardiovascular research centers with experienced teams, established operations, an active portfolio of cardiology trials, and engaged patient communities.
"Joining Iterative Health is a natural next step for our site staff and the patients we serve," said Donald S. Cross, MD, MHCDS, FACC, cardiologist and principal investigator at Waco Cardiology Associates (search). "Their network gives us the operational backbone and global reach to expand our impact, reach more patients across Texas, and contribute to cardiovascular research at a scale worthy of the patients who trust us with their care."
Addressing Cardiovascular Disease Burden
The expansion comes at a critical time when cardiovascular disease (search) affects nearly half of all U.S. adults, yet clinical trial access remains uneven across communities. Iterative Health's site network model is built around embedding research within community care settings, giving patients access to innovative therapies and devices while providing biopharma and medical device sponsors with high-performing centers that reflect real-world populations.
"Innovation in cardiovascular medicine shouldn't be limited to a few academic centers," said Thomas Waggoner, DO, MD, RPVI, FACC, FSCAI, FSVM, RPVI, Structural Cardiologist and Medical Director for Clinical Research at Pima Heart & Vascular (search), and USHV Physician Champion for Clinical Research. "By expanding community-based research across USHV, we're ensuring more patients have access to clinical trials and breakthrough therapies close to home, where trusted relationships with their physicians already exist."
Technology and Operational Excellence
Iterative Health brings the full depth of a mature research organization to every site in its network. The company's 250-person team, including site staff and centralized operations across multiple therapeutic areas, supports clinical, regulatory, financial, and operational functions. Proprietary AI and engineering tools accelerate patient recruitment, improve efficiency, and advance trial design.
With more than 100 sites on three continents, the company has built a track record of industry-leading trial speed and enrollment performance, advancing cardiovascular care in communities where engaged physicians, established patient relationships, and centralized support are already in place.
"Entering cardiology through our strategic partnership with US Heart & Vascular (search) is a defining moment for Iterative Health and reflects the strength of our site-serving model," said Jonathan Ng, founder and CEO of Iterative Health. "Together, we are ensuring that thousands of patients have access to the newest available therapies, and that sponsors have a credible, high-performing partner to accelerate cardiovascular trial success."
The strategic initiatives reinforce Iterative Health's standing as the definitive research partner across specialized therapeutic areas, trusted by many of the nation's leading provider organizations and biopharma sponsors to deliver industry-leading trial performance and accelerate life-changing therapies to market at scale.