Worldwide Clinical Trials to Acquire Catalyst Clinical Research, Expanding Oncology and FSP Capabilities

Worldwide Clinical Trials has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Catalyst Clinical Research, a specialized oncology-focused contract research organization (CRO), in a move aimed at strengthening oncology expertise, expanding functional service provider (FSP) offerings, and enhancing global trial delivery.¹

The transaction brings together Worldwide’s late-phase and CNS development strengths with Catalyst’s early phase oncology capabilities, biometrics expertise, and flexible FSP model, positioning the combined organization to support a broader range of oncology programs across the development lifecycle.

Building a scaled, oncology-focused CRO platform

Following the close of the acquisition, Catalyst Chairman Nick Dyer will join Worldwide’s board of directors, while Catalyst President and CEO Nik Morton will join Worldwide’s executive leadership team. The integration is expected to establish Worldwide as a leading oncology-focused CRO while maintaining depth across multiple therapeutic areas.

“Bringing Worldwide and Catalyst together elevates our capabilities in oncology and provides a new solution for our collective customers,” said Alistair Macdonald, chief executive officer of Worldwide. “We are excited to add Catalyst’s deep operational expertise and oncology credibility to our own well-known CNS specialist CRO capabilities to create a differentiated, biotech-oriented oncology solution.”

Worldwide said the addition of Catalyst will strengthen its footprint and scale, enabling support for larger, global oncology trials while preserving a high-touch operating model focused on speed, predictability, and scientific rigor.

Expanding FSP and hybrid delivery models

A key component of the acquisition is the integration of Catalyst’s two established offerings—Catalyst Oncology and Catalyst Flex—into Worldwide’s service portfolio. These capabilities are expected to enhance Worldwide’s ability to deliver full-service, FSP, and hybrid resourcing models tailored to sponsor needs.

The combined organization will also integrate complementary technology platforms and operational practices designed to improve data visibility and execution efficiency across clinical development programs.

“Our combined customers seek focused senior executive connection and attention, predictability, speed, flexibility, and scientific rigor,” Macdonald added. “They will benefit from the addition of a scalable FSP model with integrated onshore and offshore service lines, while we leverage advanced business management tools and AI to drive operational excellence.”

Strategic growth backed by private equity

Matt Jennings, executive chairman of Worldwide and senior operating partner at Kohlberg, the company’s majority owner, said the acquisition aligns with Worldwide’s long-term strategy to build a differentiated, technology-enabled CRO.

“Integrating Catalyst will accelerate Worldwide’s growth in oncology and expand both its customer base and global reach simultaneously,” Jennings said. “This is a strategic step toward creating a more agile and competitive organization that can meet the evolving needs of clinical research globally.”

Catalyst is currently a portfolio company of QHP Capital, while Worldwide is backed by Kohlberg.

Leadership emphasizes continuity and culture

Catalyst leadership emphasized that the transaction expands global reach while preserving a shared focus on scientific excellence and patient-centric trial execution.

“By joining forces, Catalyst brings our specialized early phase oncology expertise together with Worldwide’s strength in late phase development,” said Nik Morton, president and chief executive officer of Catalyst. “Together, our expanded global footprint will allow us to deliver our FSP solutions to a broader set of customers and bring greater value to the patients they serve.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Worldwide will acquire Catalyst for an undisclosed amount, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.

Previous commentary on rare disease R&D from Worldwide

In 2025, Applied Clinical Trials caught up with Worldwide’s Derek Ansel, vice president, therapeutic strategy lead, rare disease. In a video interview, he discussed unique challenges in rare disease R&D, including competing priorities among researchers, difficulty in diagnosing and treating patients, and defining endpoints due to varying symptoms.

“There's a lot of challenges that the rare disease space is facing right now—differences in competing priorities, whether that's between researchers, advocacy organizations, biotech companies, and even regulators—because rare disease is difficult to diagnose and treat these patients,” Ansel said. “Also, finding endpoints is becoming a challenge. It has always been a challenge. A lot of the rare diseases we treat today don't have the same symptoms. We don't see the same severity of symptoms in all patients, so when you go and create a clinical program to prove that your drug is efficacious or effective and safe, regulators really look for defining data.”

Reference

1. Worldwide Clinical Trials Enters Definitive Agreement to Acquire Catalyst Clinical Research. News release. Worldwide Clinical Trials. January 20, 2026. Accessed January 28, 2026. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260120916893/en/Worldwide-Clinical-Trials-Enters-Definitive-Agreement-to-Acquire-Catalyst-Clinical-Research