Panthera Biopartners Acquires Hungarian CRO OEC

Panthera Biopartners, a UK based clinical trial Site Management Organization (SMO), has acquired Óbudai Egészségügyi Centrum Kft (OEC), an independent clinical research site network based in Hungary. The deal marks the major first step in Panthera’s European expansion strategy, bringing together two high-performing organizations to accelerate clinical trial delivery in the region.

The acquisition follows Panthera’s investment from LDC, the private equity investor which is part of Lloyds Banking Group, alongside reinvestment from BGF, in August 2025. The investment was made to support Panthera’s efforts to become a major clinical research player across Europe through targeted international expansion.

The transaction adds four Hungarian sites to Panthera’s network, including its flagship Budapest location, as well as three additional sites in Zalaegerszeg, Dunaújváros and Kaposvár. Together with over 70 specialist investigators, these sites provide access to diverse patient populations and regional recruitment capabilities to support global CRO and pharmaceutical partners.

“This acquisition represents a major milestone for Panthera as we expand into mainland Europe,” said Stuart Young, CEO of Panthera. “OEC is a well-established organisation in Hungary with an outstanding reputation for quality, efficiency and patient access. By bringing together leading businesses in the UK and Hungary, we are creating a powerful platform to deliver faster, more reliable clinical trials at scale.”

Gábor Kiss, Managing Director of OEC, added: “OEC has built a market leading position in Hungary by focusing on quality, innovation and patient-centred research. Joining Panthera enables us to scale our capabilities, expand our reach, and continue delivering high-quality clinical trials for sponsors and CRO partners across Europe.”