Parexel

Parexel International
Company typePrivate
Nasdaq: PRXL
IndustryClinical research organizations
Pharmaceutical
Founded1982; 42 years ago (1982)
HeadquartersDurham, North Carolina, U.S. Newton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Number of locations
84+ facilities in 51+ countries
Key people
Peyton Howell (CEO)
Servicesclinical trial management, data management, medical writing, biostatistics, pharmacovigilance, regulatory consulting
RevenueIncrease$2.3 billion (2017)[1]
Number of employees
18,900 [2]
Websiteparexel.com

Parexel International is an American provider of biopharmaceutical services. It conducts clinical trials on behalf of its pharmaceutical clients to expedite the drug approval process. It is the second largest clinical research organization in the world and has helped develop approximately 95% of the 200 top-selling biopharmaceuticals on the market today.[3] The company publishes the annual Parexel R&D Statistical Sourcebook[4] and operates the Parexel-Academy.[5]

Parexel was founded in 1982 by Josef von Rickenbach[6] and organic chemist Anne B. Sayigh[7] initially to advise Japanese and German firms on how to navigate the FDA approval process.[8] The firm has grown organically over the years and through 40 acquisitions. Josef von Rickenbach is credited with establishing Parexel's culture and practices based on the principles he experienced as a researcher at Schering-Plough in Lucerne, Switzerland, before leaving the company upon retiring in 2018.[8]

In 1990, the firm expanded internationally and established new practice areas. By 1999 it had a staff of 4,500 and 45 offices.[8] In the 2000s, it grew to over 18,000 employees. Parexel's consulting and clinical trial work has helped establish many household drug brands and contributed to numerous successes in modern pharmacology.[citation needed]

The company was acquired by private equity firm Pamplona Capital Management for approximately $5.0 billion.[9] The deal closed in September 2017.[10] On July 2, 2021, Parexel announced a merger agreement under which it would be acquired by EQT IX fund and Goldman Sachs for $8.5 billion.[11] EQT and Goldman Sachs completed the acquisition on November 15, 2021.[12]

  1. ^ "PAREXEL International Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2017 Results" (Press release). 28 August 2017.
  2. ^ "PAREXEL – Our Company". Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  3. ^ "MoneyShow.com: TOP PROS' TOP PICKS – Parexel Puts Drugs on Trial". MoneyShow.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-01. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  4. ^ "PAREXEL Biopharmaceutical Statistical Sourcebook 2014/2015 (eStats)". Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  5. ^ Applied Clinical Trials Editorial Staff (13 April 2015). "PAREXEL Academy Adds Programs for Students".
  6. ^ "List of Public Companies Worldwide, Letter – Businessweek – Businessweek". Businessweek.com. 30 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Entrepreneur Briefs".
  8. ^ a b c "Josef von Rickenbach – Parexel". Bilanz.ch.
  9. ^ "BRIEF-Pamplona Capital Management completes acquisition of Parexel". Reuters. 29 September 2017.
  10. ^ "Pamplona Capital Management acquires Parexel International | Private Equity Wire". Private Equity Wire. 2017-10-02. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  11. ^ "Parexel to be Acquired by EQT Private Equity and Goldman Sachs Asset Management | Parexel International Corporation". newsroom.parexel.com. Retrieved 2022-01-04.
  12. ^ "EQT Private Equity and Goldman Sachs Asset Management Complete Acquisition of Parexel | Parexel International Corporation". newsroom.parexel.com. Retrieved 2022-01-04.