To improve its efforts to bring digital technology to clinical research, Bracket announced today the acquisition of mProve Health, a provider of various mobile technologies for life science-focused customers. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

"We are excited to announce the acquisition of mProve as we take a major step forward in our support of tech-enabled clinical trials," Jeff Kinell, CEO of Bracket, said in a statement. "As an early adopter of mHealth and BYOD [bring your own device], we recognize how these movements empower patients to become partners in their trials, and subsequently, deliver more accurate [patient-reported outcomes] and increase the likelihood of a successful trial.”

Bracket, which is under the ownership of Genstar Capital, works with biopharmaceuticals and contract research organizations to bring technologies to clinical research. The company offers a platform for electronic clinical outcome assessments, as well as a randomization and trial supply management mobile app. The company also has a platform for clinical supply, customized training, and quality assurance programs. Last month, the company announced that it had hired Sam Whitaker, a 10-year veteran of clinical payment technology company Greenphire, as its chief technology officer.

mProve Health (formerly Omniscience Mobile), which was founded in 2010 and has been bootstrapped for the last seven years, with no outside investment, holds a suite of mobile technology platforms. Among these is mPulse, an electronic patient-reported outcomes platform that uses SMS texts and standalone native mobile apps to enable data collection. The company’s other apps will aim to further communications with physicians during these trials, and provide reminders and education.

The acquisition will allow the companies to bring together their technologies to mobile-enabled clinical trials, and specifically to improve patient engagement by allowing study participants to use their own devices for data collection or other purposes. Bracket says that having these technologies at its disposal will place it in an advantageous position over its competition, who will be forced to retrofit their platforms to support mobile health technologies and strategies for clinical trials.

"This acquisition is an opportunity to bring the shared visions of mProve and Bracket into focus," Jeff Lee, CEO of mProve Health, said in a statement. "Both organizations center on improving patient engagement and driving adoption of the mHealth to do so. Together, we are well situated for a future of tech-enabled clinical trials."