YPrime, a provider of cloud-based eClinical solutions for the healthcare industry, has announced that they have found a new financial backer in private equity firm Flexpoint Ford. Along with Ballast Point Ventures, who will retain a minority stake in the company, the company’s capital investment in YPrime will give them the resources they need to grow.
Shawn Blackburn, CEO and Co-Founder of YPrime, said, “We are incredibly excited to have found a partner in Flexpoint that shares our vision for rapidly scaling YPrime’s eClinical solutions platform. Not only will the financial backing offered by Flexpoint allow us to accelerate our growth of technology solutions across global clinical trial operations, but Flexpoint’s experience within the biopharmaceutical, technology and services sectors will provide us with strategic resources and capabilities to strengthen our next phase of growth.”
The company will continue to operate independently under their current management team – who have also retained a significant ownership stake. YPrime’s flagship product is their eClinical suite which includes electronic clinical outcome assessments (eCOA), interactive response technology (IRT), and eClinical consulting and integration services.
“YPrime is an exceptional company in a fast-growing industry, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to invest behind Shawn Blackburn and his outstanding management team,” said Jonathan Oka, Managing Director of Flexpoint. “YPrime has developed a strong reputation for an innovative eClinical platform and technology stack, which we believe is well-positioned to help clinical trial sponsors address current challenges, promote technology adoption and facilitate the next generation of clinical trials.”
Flexpoint Ford is a private equity investment firm based in Chicago, Illinois. Company CEO Donald J Edwards founded the company in 2005 after several years in senior leadership positions with private equity and investment banking businesses. The company specializes in financial services and healthcare sectors and has successfully raised $2.3 billion in capital.
With regards to Flexpoint’s strategy, they take a different tack from other firms and choose to remain flexible regarding investment size, structure and asset class. They can contribute up to $200 million of their own funds towards a single transaction and negotiate larger investments in concert with support of their partners.
Since their beginning, they have invested in over thirty companies. These range from sub-prime auto-loan lender Pelican AutoFinance to wheelchair-accessible vehicle provider MobilityWorks. Other businesses include those in insurance industry, mortgage providers, and in healthcare services.
