In a retina clinical trials add-on, Lexitas Pharma Services acquired Erie Retina Research, adding site operations, surgical training and imaging analysis to its ophthalmology CRO platform, with QHP backing the buyer.

The Erie, Pennsylvania center conducts surgical and pharmaceutical retina studies for pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors developing ophthalmic therapies.

Lexitas also acquired CASExERIE, LLC, an ophthalmic research, surgical training and retina-focused product development hub that will continue to operate within Erie Retina Research.

The transaction also includes the assets of Element Erie: Imaging & Reading Center PLLC, which reviews and interprets ophthalmic imaging used in clinical trials.

Erie Retina Research is led by vitreoretinal surgeon and clinician-scientist Dr. David R.P. Almeida, MD, MBA, PhD.

The organization has more than 40 active clinical trials and has enrolled more than 1,000 patients in research since 2019, with a focus on retinal diseases and related therapies.

Lexitas Pharma Services is a full-service ophthalmology clinical research organization serving drug and device developers across ophthalmology subspecialties.

The acquired businesses add clinical site access, surgical and device training, centralized image reading and retina scientific input to the QHP-backed CRO’s trial services.

Dr. Almeida joined Lexitas Pharma Services as Chief Retina Strategy Officer and will lead scientific and strategic development across the combined retina portfolio.

Agenda Health served as financial advisor to Erie Retina Research.