Alquest, a medical device focused contract research organization (CRO) based in Minneapolis, Minn., has launched services in India. The company claims to be the first such CRO to expand medical device offerings into the emerging India trials market. Medical device companies are particularly afflicted by challenging patient recruitment rates, and Alquest feels many companies will head to India to shave costs.

Alquest was started by Linda Alexander in 1993, as a consulting company to the device industry. In addition to the company’s Minneapolis headquarters, Alquest holds an office in the San Francisco Bay Area. Earlier this month, Alquest announced the promotions of Ann Quinlan-Smith to president and Elizabeth Kempen to chief operating officer. It employees a staff of about 50 employees.