London – September 30, 2026 -- Clarenta Group has taken a majority stake in Leads To Development (L2D), a Paris-based preclinical and regulatory consultancy, expanding its reach into early-stage drug development ahead of first-in-human trials.
Clarenta adds non-clinical and manufacturing expertise to its clinical development platform
L2D specializes in defining development pathways, assessing preclinical evidence, troubleshooting manufacturing processes, and building regulatory strategies for biotech and pharmaceutical sponsors. The addition connects this early-stage scientific work directly to Clarenta's existing Early Phase Unit and clinical consulting capabilities.
L2D retains its Paris headquarters and specialist team structure
L2D will continue operating from its Paris HQ, serving existing and new clients as a distinct specialist unit within the broader Clarenta Group. The consultancy has spent more than 15 years supporting early-stage biotech and pharmaceutical development.
Deal follows Clarenta's rebrand from Comac Medical Group
The investment comes shortly after Clarenta launched its new brand identity, part of a stated strategy to build an integrated early development partner spanning preclinical strategy through clinical execution across Europe. EdgeCap Partners, Clarenta's majority investor, backed the transaction.
Dr. Chris Smyth, CEO of Clarenta, said L2D's non-clinical, manufacturing and regulatory expertise complements the group's existing strengths, linking pre-clinic decisions to early clinical development realities. Jonathan Kearsey, Managing Director and Co-Founder of L2D, said the partnership lets his team retain its specialist focus while drawing on Clarenta's clinical experience to de-risk development programs. Christopher Backes, Co-Founder of EdgeCap Partners, called L2D a strategic fit that adds expertise at the point in the development journey where decisions create the most value for clients.