Microtest Laboratories and Texcel Medical have formed a strategic alliance to assist pharmaceutical manufacturers and biotechnology companies in the development of combination products.

Combo products, consisting of medical devices embedded with pharmaceutical or biologics components, comprise approximately 30% of new products under development, according to a joint statement from the companies, and are growing at a 10% compound annual growth rate, with a market expected to reach $9.5 billion in 2009.

“The combination products market is booming. Yet many pharmaceutical companies are struggling to manage the convergence of devices and drugs or biologics and the host of unique FDA testing guidelines, practices and regulations that such products require,” according to Steven Richter, Ph.D., president, Microtest. “For such firms, outsourcing is the solution, provided that the arrangement is struck with the right partner.”

Microtest provides testing services and contract manufacturing for the medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries. Texcel provides manufacturing infrastructure and engineering expertise for surgical, interventional, and implantable medical devices.

“Together, we offer a unique, seamless synergy of expertise in the design, prototyping, development, testing, approval, and manufacturing of combination products,” said Larry Derose, president, Texcel.