Clinical Trial Digital Transformation SaaS Provider Agatha Secures Strategic Investment from Global Healthcare Focused Investment Firm ARCHIMED
Purpose and Background of the Funding
Agatha provides a secure and efficient cloud-based platform for healthcare institutions, pharmaceutical and medical device companies, to share, store, and manage clinical trial and quality-related documents and processes. The system has been widely adopted in the industry due to its ease of use and expert support tailored to pharmaceutical and medical workflows. Currently, approximately 80% of pharmaceutical companies conducting research and development in Japan use Agatha. The number of clinical trial sites utilizing Agatha has surpassed 1,100 (*1), and as of June 2024, the user base has exceeded 50,000 (*2). By supporting the digitization of clinical trial operations and quality management, Agatha contributes to improving efficiency, reliability, and safety across the industry.
Recognized for its rapid growth in Japan, Agatha was ranked 29th in the “Technology Fast 50 2024 Japan” by Deloitte Tohmatsu Group, achieving a revenue growth rate of 175% over the past three fiscal years (*3). This ranking highlights Agatha’s strong market presence in the technology, media, and telecommunications sectors. Globally, Agatha is also experiencing rapid growth, currently operating in 16 countries.
In 2022, ARCHIMED Healthcare IT’s team identified Agatha as a category leader thanks to its innovative technical architecture advantages, its dominant position in the domestic market and significant growth potential.
ARCHIMED initiated partnership talks with the company, leveraging the expertise of its Tokyo office, established in 2024 -, which played a pivotal role in strengthening relations and driving negotiations with Agatha, resulting in a strategic partnership. ARCHIMED Healthcare IT team will partner with Agatha’s management to accelerate Agatha’s growth by applyingg ARCHIMED’s value creation levers. Through this strategic partnership we will be focusing on the following key areas to realize Agatha’s vision of becoming the leading global platform connecting healthcare institutions and pharmaceutical companies.
1. Accelerating Global Expansion
- Leveraging success in the Japanese market to strengthen its presence in overseas markets, particularly in Europe and North America.
- Expanding market share in the 16 countries where Agatha is already present by reinforcing sales, marketing, business development and M&A.
- Optimizing regional revenue distribution by diversifying income sources, aiming to reduce Japan’s current 80% revenue share by 2030.
2. Strengthening R&D and Product Development
- Enhancing AI-powered document management features to further streamline clinical trials and quality control.
- Utilizing customer data to develop a new big data-driven matching platform, including patient recruitment solutions.
- Improving user experience (UI/UX) and adding new functionalities to meet customer needs.
3. Expanding Organizational Capabilities and Operations
- Strengthening talent acquisition globally to support the Company’s rapid growth, particularly in sales, development, and customer support.
- Enhancing local teams in Japan, Europe, Asia, and North America to provide localized support for global customers.
- Reinforcing governance and security measures to ensure compliance with international regulatory standards.
Through this funding, Agatha aims to become the world’s No.1 platform connecting healthcare institutions and pharmaceutical companies, and a key leader in the eDMS and eQMS market for the Life Sciences industry, providing cutting-edge solutions to support regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
Comments from ARCHIMED
Vincent GUILLAUMOT, Managing Partner, ARCHIMED
“We have been closely following Agatha’s growth for over five years. In particular, we have been highly impressed by the company’s recent achievements, including an average annual revenue growth rate of over 50%, positive cash flow for the past two years, and its fulfilment of the Rule of 40*.
Going forward, we will leverage ARCHIMED’s expertise in the medical and life sciences sectors, as well as our international network, to strongly support Agatha’s expansion in Europe.
We are truly excited to see Agatha further evolve as a platform that connects healthcare institutions and pharmaceutical companies worldwide.”
(*) The Rule of 40 is a financial benchmark used to assess the financial health of SaaS and high-growth companies.
Rami SUZUKI, Managing Director, ARCHIMED
“The successful conclusion of the partnership with Agatha highlights the importance for ARCHIMED to hold a physical presence in Japan. With a Tokyo-based team of experts, we aim to efficiently contribute to the long-term development of the region’s healthcare industries.”
Comments from Agatha
Chiemi KAMAKURA, CEO, Agatha inc.
“We are truly honored to welcome ARCHIMED—a firm with extensive global experience—as our strategic partner. Agatha has earned the trust of numerous healthcare institutions and pharmaceutical companies in Japan by supporting the digital transformation of clinical and quality operations.
Building on our strong growth in the Japanese market, we are now entering a new phase of global expansion, with a focus on Europe and North America. By fully leveraging ARCHIMED’s expertise and global network, we will accelerate our growth as we work toward realizing a global platform that connects healthcare institutions and pharmaceutical companies around the world.”
About ARCHIMED
With offices in Europe, North America and Asia, ARCHIMED is a leading investment firm focused exclusively on healthcare industries.
Its mix of operational, medical, scientific and financial expertise allows ARCHIMED to serve as both a strategic and financial partner to healthcare businesses. ARCHIMED’s key areas of focus include Animal & Environmental Health, Biopharma Products, Consumer Health, Diagnostics, Healthcare IT, Life Science Tools & Biologic Services, MedTech, and Pharma Services. ARCHIMED helps its partners internationalize, acquire, innovate and expand their products and services.
Through multiple funds, ARCHIMED manages a total of €8 billion (approximately ¥1.2 trillion) in assets and has been committed to impact investing since its inception. In addition to direct investments, the firm actively engages in social contribution activities through its EURÊKA Foundation.
In 2024, ARCHIMED established its North Asia office in Tokyo, aiming to contribute to the long-term development of the healthcare industry in the region.
About Agatha Inc.
Agatha Inc. was founded with the mission of enhancing efficiency, quality, and speed in clinical trials, research, and manufacturing through its cloud-based document management solution “Agatha.” The Company serves medical institutions, pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, contract research organizations (CROs), site management organizations (SMOs), and clinical testing laboratories.
Agatha envisions building a technology-driven foundation to facilitate the development of new therapies and pharmaceuticals, contributing to healthier lives worldwide. The Company is also committed to creating an environment where future generations across the globe can access high-quality healthcare, technology, culture, and education.
Company Information
Company Name: Agatha Inc.
President & CEO: Chiemi Kamakura
Address: Kabuto One 9F WeWork, 7-1 Nihonbashi Kabutocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0026, Japan
Capital: JPY 1,094 million (including capital reserves)
Established: October 2, 2015
Website: https://en.agathalife.com/
Press Contacts
Agatha Inc. PR Office: Chida / Nagai / Nakao / Emori
TEL: +81-3-6804-1751 – FAX: +81-3-6804-1752
Email: info@frontstage-pr.co.jp
ARCHIMED
Japan: Rami Suzuki, rami.suzuki@archimed.group
International: Stéphanie du Ché, stephanie.duche@archimed.group, +33 (0)6 16 36 11 08