Underwriters Laboratories acquires British human factors firm Medical Device Usability

UL said today that it acquired Medical Device Usability, a British human factors services business, last month for an undisclosed amount.

Cambridge, U.K.-based Medical Device Usability offers human factors services including user needs research, user interface design, formative and summative evaluation and preparation of human factors-related documentation and regulatory submission content. UL said it plans to fold MDU’s business into the Emergo by UL business it acquired last year. The deal closed August 31, the company said.

“The application of human factors engineering is critical to effective and safe use of medical devices,” life & health sciences VP & GM Upayan SenGupta said in prepared remarks. “Working as one, the combined entity will respond to the growing market need for human factors consulting services across the globe and build on UL’s mission to make the world a safer place while helping companies create and protect their product’s brand value.”

“We are excited to join forces with UL and, together, offer best-in-class medical human factors services,” added MDU founder & CEO Richard Featherstone. “Our group’s shared reputation for delivering safe and effective medtech services will allow us to significantly accelerate our growth and access to global markets, in addition to providing our customers with a broader range of complementary services and expertise. Clients can rest assured that customer service and technical quality will remain our top priorities and that our newly integrated capabilities will deliver even more value.”