Emmes, a global, full-service Clinical Research Organization (CRO) that’s headquartered in Rockville and dedicated to supporting the advancement of public health and biopharmaceutical innovation, announced that it has acquired Clinical Edge. Clinical Edge trains and certifies visual function examiners at investigator sites conducting Phase I to IV ophthalmic clinical trials. The combination of Optym, Emmes’ ophthalmology certification unit, and Clinical Edge will make the organization a leader in ophthalmic certification and training services. Emmes officially rolled out the new name – OptymEdge – and branding ahead of the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, which takes place in Chicago from September 30 to October 3. This is the fifth company that Rockville-based Emmes has acquire din the last five years.

Per the press release: Emmes Chief Executive Officer Dr. Christine Dingivan, said, “This acquisition makes us a powerhouse in the ophthalmology training and certification area, a critical part of determining the safety and efficacy of new treatments for eye disease. Our fifth acquisition in less than two years, this is another positive step in our growth and globalization effort. It also reflects our commitment to investing in public health and alleviating the high burden of disease areas like ophthalmology.” OptymEdge ensures the standardization of visual function requirements for ophthalmic clinical trials across all phases of clinical development. This includes certifying and training of clinical trial center staff and maintaining a database listing their current certification status. OptymEdge has a combined base of 36 ophthalmic certifiers, most of whom are doctors of optometry and medical doctors.