In another move to expand its reach to underserved patient populations, the IMA Group has acquired Exemplar Research, a specialty research clinic in West Virginia.

The acquisition is IMA Group’s fourth in the past four months aimed at broadening its access to diverse populations of patients. The company’s clinical research division, IMA Clinical Research, is a network of research sites specialized in conducting phase 2, 3 and postapproval trials that currently spans more than 100 sites.

Exemplar, which serves West Virginia’s North Central region, claims that it is the only independent site in the area and offers an extensive subject database, locations in underserved population areas and a team that excels in recruiting and retaining participants, with average enrollment rates surpassing 100 percent. The site is experienced in conducting a wide array of studies, including vaccine, pulmonary, internal medicine, gastroenterology, infectious disease, neurology, urology and pain trials.