Michael Branagan-Harris

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Southampton based consultancy, Device Access, and Berlin based research and consulting institution, IGES Institut.

Founded in 2010 by Michael Branagan-Harris, Device Access supports medical device organisations across the world secure market access into the NHS.

The IGES Institut, founded in 1980, is the core of the IGES group. It is a research and consulting institution for health and infrastructure, conducting over 2,000 research and consulting projects since its establishment.

The acquisition allows IGES Group to continue its European expansion, servicing the growing global medical devices market in which Germany and the UK constitute core markets.

Following the acquisition, Mr Branagan-Harris will continue to be the CEO of Device Access and will additionally lead IGES’ UK business activities as Country Manager, in order to bring the countries’ two markets closer together.

IGES Director, Professor Bertram Häussler, said: “UK is an important country for the development and application of medical devices. Furthermore, it has traditionally been seen as a European beachhead for global companies to launch into Europe. The aim of this acquisition is to strengthen these connections and make them usable for all our international clients.”

Mr Branagan-Harris said: “Device Access and the IGES Group unite extensive knowledge of approval, market launch and reimbursement of medical devices, and their cultures fit outstandingly. The deal strengthens our respective market positions and build the potential for our growth in the European markets.”

Benchmark International would like to thank all parties involved and we wish them all the very best of luck for the future.