NSF International Acquires Becker & Associates Consulting

NSF International, an independent global public health and safety organization that develops standards as well as tests and certifies products for the food, water, health and consumer products industries, has acquired Becker & Associates Consulting, Inc., a clinical, regulatory and scientific consulting firm that specializes in U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-regulated industries, specifically medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biologics.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Becker will become part of NSF’s Health Sciences Division, which offers training and education, consulting, good manufacturing practice (GMP) and good laboratory practice testing, certification, research and development and auditing services for the pharmaceutical, dietary supplement and medical device industries throughout the entire product lifecycle.

“The partnership between NSF International and Becker comes at a time when the U.S. FDA is actively warning manufacturers and patients about the need for enhanced systems to ensure the safety of medical devices and pharmaceuticals,” said Ron Ginor, M.D., CEO of Becker & Associates Consulting. “With NSF’s role at the forefront of public health for 68 years and its global capabilities, we will be able to enhance and expand the scope and range of services we can offer to our customers.”

Ginor will continue in his role as CEO following the acquisition. President of Becker Consulting and former Director of Compliance at FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health Ron Johnson will also continue his leadership of quality systems and compliance activities for the firm, directing the company’s expanding activities in North America, India, China and South America.

“The medical device and pharmaceutical sectors are in a period of flux following a number of significant regulatory changes,” Johnson said. “As part of NSF’s Health Sciences Division, we are able to help our clients not only meet FDA compliance but to educate their professionals to stay in compliance by leveraging the vast experience and resources of NSF International.”

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Becker Consulting provides services to help client companies meet FDA requirements for developing, testing and marketing innovative healthcare products. The company specializes in resolving clinical, regulatory and scientific challenges in the life sciences sector. The company also helps assure the safety and efficacy of drugs and medical devices, re-establishes manufacturing facilities after natural disasters, designs manufacturing processes for complex biologics, building systems for protecting blood banks, and develops testing protocols and clinical programs for the evaluation of novel drugs and devices.

The acquisition will complement Ann Arbor, Mich.-based NSF’s services, which include: training and education for the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries; consulting in quality systems, GMP and compliance/enforcement actions; clinical and regulatory consulting; analytical testing; bioanalytical testing for clinical trials; and product testing and certification.

“This is a singular opportunity for both NSF International and Becker to expand our global biotech, medical device and life science services,” said Kevan P. Lawlor, president and CEO of NSF International.