United BioSource Corporation (UBC) today announced the acquisition of Gigamoto Technology Partners, Inc. (Gigamoto), a Pennsylvania-based software development company providing leading-edge technology solutions in support of drug safety and risk management programs for the life sciences industry. The acquisition is part of UBC’s strategy of building integrated capabilities in risk management and drug safety by combining leading-edge technology with world class scientific, consulting and operational expertise. This transaction represents UBC’s second acquisition this year to meet the growing demand for consulting and implementation of risk management programs on a global basis.
Gigamoto software powers several high-profile and highly complex risk management programs, including the largest and longest operating FDA mandated program - iPLEDGE. The program is an interactive, computer based distribution center that monitors pregnancy in women on isotretinoin therapy, also known by the brand name of Accutane, which has been known to cause birth defects. iPLEDGE was made mandatory by the FDA in 2006 and the most recent public data shows that this complex risk management system has registered multiple stakeholders including wholesalers, over 40,000 pharmacies, over 16,000 prescribers and over 300,000 patients, and today continues the ongoing successful enrollment and re-enrollment of patients. Gigamoto software has set the standard for integrating voice and web technologies to deliver risk management programs that link pharmacies, physicians, patients and payers to support prescription drug therapies with the goal of providing medication to patients who can most benefit from them, while at the same time ensuring risk reduction.