Oracle expands life science apps through acquisition

January 17, 2002 —

Oracle Corp. is acquiring San Francisco-based medical software maker NetForce Inc. with the goal of bolstering Oracle's data capture and management system, Oracle Clinical, the company said Wednesday.

NetForce, a longtime Oracle partner, is the creator of EventNet, a software tool that lets pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical-device companies keep track of product problems and any adverse effects to patients. It also includes tools for generating and electronically submitting case reports to regulatory agencies worldwide.

EventNet and Oracle Clinical share a common database schema, and the technology stack underlying the two products is identical, according to Sohaib Abbasi, a senior vice president with Oracle's product development division.

"NetForce has worked with us very closely from the very beginning to ensure database integration," Abbasi said. Oracle Clinical offers a number of features for handling clinical trial data; the company intends to use EventNet to extend those features to include the ability to track safety data after products are released, Abbasi said.

Around 12 NetForce employees, virtually the company's entire staff, will join Oracle, Abbasi said. The acquisition is expected to close on or around Jan. 25. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

ITworld.com