Dallas-based Surge Private Equity, LLC (“Surge”) has formed a strategic partnership with Elite Clinical Network, LLC, an integrated platform operating a network of phase I-IV clinical research sites across California, Arizona, and Nevada.
The transaction, valued at approximately $200 million, was closed with debt financing provided by affiliates of MGG Investment Group LP. Merritt Healthcare Advisors acted as financial advisor to ECN, Houlihan Lokey as diligence provider, and BakerHostetler as lead counsel to Surge.
ECN, established in 2003, uses advanced industry knowledge, practices, and technology to move clinical trials efficiently from mandate to completion across a broad spectrum of therapeutic areas for pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations.
ECN is a leader in rapid protocol patient acquisition and currently operates a dedicated network of 14 research sites, with more in development across the United States.
These sites offer a range of physician specialties and a proprietary database of over 100k research study candidates, which is closely monitored by the corporate management team. ECN often satisfies sponsor enrollment goals for clinical trials within six months of activation, which allows sponsors to quickly launch new vaccines and drugs while reducing costs.
The strategic partnership will support the next phase of building a national network for ECN. With a very high new site launch growth rate, multi-decade customer relationships, strong industry tailwinds, and a significant diversified backlog, ECN is well positioned to continue its expansion as a dominant player in the clinical trial industry.
Surge Private Equity LLC, founded in 2017, seeks majority investments in growing businesses with $3-$30MM of EBITDA.
Together with its lending partners, Surge provides entrepreneurs with liquidity and investors with higher yields and greater accessibility. Surge primarily invests in companies where the seller will remain in an ongoing capacity.
MGG Investment Group, founded in 2014, provides bespoke investment solutions to mid-size and growing middle market companies. MGG works with owners and management teams to help build lasting value, address immediate needs, and solve complex situations while seeking to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for investors irrespective of and through market cycles.
