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Our History
A Rich History of Advancing Medical Device Innovation and Patient Safety
1967
Year NAMSA Was Founded
1400+
Dedicated Professionals Worldwide
3000+
Medical Device Companies Served Last Year
12
Therapeutic Areas in Which NAMSA Has Experience
Developing and Delivering Novel Medical Device Technologies Since 1967
In 1967, a glass manufacturer in Toledo, Ohio approached a clinical laboratory to test polymeric materials for pharmaceutical container testing. While the clinical lab passed on the work, Dr. Theodore Gorski, a scientist-entrepreneur, recognized the opportunity and accepted the project. By following methods outlined in the United States Pharmacopeia, he successfully performed the requested testing and soon thereafter, Dr. Gorski established Science Associates, a Contract Research Organization (CRO) focused on medical device and materials testing.
Nearly a decade later, the United States Congress authorized the U.S. FDA to regulate medical devices. By that time, North American Science Associates (NAMSA) had already developed a testing matrix to assure biological safety of medical devices and materials, which was later incorporated in to the Tripartite Guidance, TC194 and is part of today’s ISO 10993 requirements.
Over the last several years, while regulations have continued to evolve and become more complex, NAMSA has proudly played an integral role in developing domestic and international standards for testing medical devices, materials and In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) products. In addition to medical device laboratory testing, NAMSA’s services have grown to include regulatory, reimbursement and quality consulting, as well as clinical research solutions. These additions have helped NAMSA become the industry’s only 100% medical device-focused Contract Research (CRO) organization that offers proven, strategic solutions throughout the full development continuum to allow Sponsors to fast-track commercialization efforts, while achieving time and cost efficiencies, in every major market of the world.
1960s
1967
Dr. Theodore Gorski, a scientist-entrepreneur, founded Science Associates. This company was incorporated to test materials used in medical devices and pharmaceutical containers.
1968
Sportol® biological indicators were developed, the first of many in a line of sterility assurance products.
1970s
1971
The founding name of ‘Science Associates’ was changed to ‘North American Science Associates, LLC’ (NAMSA); the company moved to its current corporate headquarters in Northwood, Ohio.
1976
The Medical Device Amendments to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act provided authority to the U.S. FDA to require that medical devices demonstrate safety and effectiveness prior to use in hospitals and clinics.
1977
NAMSA expanded to Irvine, California to allow for same-day release testing.
1980s
1986
Substantially informed by NAMSA’s biocompatibility matrix, the Tripartite guidance was introduced by a U.S. FDA official at a NAMSA-led seminar; this document formed the basis for ISO 10993-1.
1990s
1991
McMillan Research in Kennesaw, Georgia was acquired.
1995
Biomatech was acquired in Chasse-sur-Rhone, France to expand NAMSA’s European presence and medical device laboratory and consulting services.
2000s
2001
NAMSA developed and sold its RSI product line of rapid read-out sterility indicators.
2002
Completion of the first phase of a 14,000 square-foot expansion plan in Northwood, Ohio to include new, dedicated spaces for a vivarium, toxicology laboratory and administrative building.
2004
Introduction of NAMSA’s medical device consulting practice, allowing clients to engage earlier in the product development process.
2005
Ceetox was acquired, providing sponsors with in-vitro toxicology screening tools to reduce, refine and replace the use of in-vivo models throughout medical device testing.
2006
Completion of the second phase of the expansion plan in Northwood, Ohio, including a 10,000 square-foot surgical center and a 15,000 square-foot addition to the toxicology facility.
2010s
2010
Alquest was acquired, a leading CRO specializing in regulatory consulting, clinical research and quality support.
2012
The Integra Group was acquired to provide further preclinical, clinical, regulatory and research study capabilities.
2013
Completion of the third and final phase of the expansion in Northwood, Ohio—the tenth expansion of all NAMSA facilities in many years.
2014
Medvance, LTD, located in the United Kingdom, was acquired to expand clinical and consulting capacities across Europe.
2018
Introduction of NAMSA’s ISO 10993-18 (DIN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 accredited) analytical testing laboratory in Obernburg, Germany for exhaustive extraction, FTIR, GC-MS, LC-MS and ICP-MS services throughout the EU.
2019
Acquisition of Reimbursement Strategies, LLC to provide expanded services in the areas of reimbursement, health economics and market access for the international medical device industry.
2020s
2020
French-based Archimed acquires majority interest in NAMSA.
January 2021
NAMSA acquires New York-based Syntactx, a leading Clinical Research Organization to enhance Electronic Data Capture (EDC), imaging core laboratory, and safety and physician consulting solutions.
March 2021
NAMSA acquires American Preclinical Services (APS) to provide Sponsors with a broader range of laboratory models and analysis tools, including innovative surgical instrumentation and several state-of-the-art catheterization labs, imaging capabilities and surgical suites.
August 2021
NAMSA acquires Philadelphia-based CRO Clinlogix to enhance clinical therapeutic expertise and expand global footprint with four new locations throughout APAC, EU, North America and South America.
March 2022
NAMSA acquires AKRN, a prominent European Medical Device CRO based in Madrid, Spain focusing on clinical and regulatory services for the medical device and diagnostic industries in Europe.
March 2022
NAMSA announces its acquisition of Medanex Clinic, a Belgium-based European preclinical research organization.
October 2022
NAMSA acquires Perfectus Biomed Group, UK-based laboratory providing customized microbiological services to the MedTech industry.
March 2023
