LyfeSci Acquires Clinically Media to Integrate Patient Recruitment into End-to-End Clinical Trial Services
Key Insights
Chicago-based clinical research organization LyfeSci Research & Innovation (search) has acquired patient recruitment specialist Clinically Media (search) to bring recruitment capabilities in-house and expand its end-to-end trial execution services.
The acquisition integrates Clinically Media (search)'s data-driven recruitment expertise in dermatology, neurology, and psychiatry into LyfeSci's CRO workflow, connecting study design decisions with site selection and recruitment execution.
LyfeSci's CEO emphasized that patient recruitment has evolved from a downstream activity to become central to study execution, with the integration aimed at addressing clinical research's persistent enrollment bottlenecks.
Chicago-based clinical research organization LyfeSci Research & Innovation (search) has acquired patient recruitment specialist Clinically Media (search) in a strategic move to integrate recruitment capabilities directly into its end-to-end clinical trial services. The acquisition, announced Monday with undisclosed financial terms, addresses one of clinical research's most persistent challenges: timely and representative patient enrollment.
Strategic Integration of Recruitment Services
The deal will see Clinically Media (search)'s data-driven recruitment expertise embedded directly into LyfeSci's CRO workflow, spanning protocol feasibility, site selection, recruitment forecasting, and ongoing enrollment optimization. Clinically Media specializes in inclusive patient enrollment strategies that combine targeted digital outreach with community-based recruitment and patient-experience programs.
"Patient recruitment is no longer a downstream activity, it is central to study execution," said Dr. Tapan Parikh, founder and CEO of LyfeSci. "By integrating Clinically Media (search) into LyfeSci, we can connect study design decisions, site selection strategy, and recruitment execution in a more coordinated way, supporting stronger planning and execution for sponsors."
Therapeutic Focus Areas Alignment
Clinically Media (search)'s experience in dermatology, neurology, and psychiatry aligns with LyfeSci's existing focus areas and is expected to support expansion into additional therapeutic areas. The acquired company has established partnerships with various organizations, including the DEI Leadership Institute (search) and IVY Clinical (search), a business development consulting firm representing a network of independent clinical research sites.
Victoria Donovon, CEO of Clinically Media (search), emphasized the strategic value of the partnership: "Joining LyfeSci gives Clinically Media the opportunity to continue scaling thoughtfully while staying true to our mission of improving the experiences of patients participating in clinical research. Together, we are positioned to deliver efficient and sustainable patient recruitment that benefits sponsors, research sites, and patients."
Enhanced CRO Capabilities
LyfeSci, described as a physician-led CRO that launched in October, operates with a stated mission of using patient-centered strategies to develop and execute drug studies. The company provides services spanning preclinical studies through real-world evidence and real-world data research.
Clinically Media (search) recently presented at the JP Morgan Annual Healthcare Investor Conference, where it highlighted its strategy of combining digital outreach with community-based methods to identify potential study enrollees. The firm's approach focuses on making the recruitment process as inclusive as possible.
Following the acquisition, Clinically Media (search) will continue operating under the LyfeSci Research & Innovation (search) brand, with its team fully integrated into LyfeSci's CRO services group. The integration is designed to expand LyfeSci's capabilities in trial planning and execution, including enhanced protocol feasibility assessment, recruitment forecasting, site-centric enrollment support, and comprehensive data-driven recruitment strategies.