Wilmington-based Modoc Research Services has formed a strategic alliance with German clinical research organization bioskin, the companies announced Wednesday. The new agreement is designed to advance their dermatological drug and device development services, according to a news release.

As part of the alliance, bioskin -- based in Hamburg, Germany -- plans open a North American headquarters in Wilmington, in an office facility that will be shared by Modoc Research, according to Sylina Phelan, Modoc Research’s vice president of operations.

“We’ll move into a new location near Mayfaire in the next month or so,” Phelan said Thursday. Currently, the company has a facility on Racine Drive.

Through the alliance, both CROs hope to increase their services and enter new markets, she said. Although Modoc’s work is not specific to dermatology, its joint operations with bioskin will be focused on exploring growth opportunities in that area.

Having a base in North America is a major step for the German company.

“The opening of the Wilmington office is an important strategic move for bioskin. With this office, our expanded clinical operations team will have greater access to our North American clients and study sites,” Walter Wigger-Alberti, bioskin’s CEO and managing director, said in the release.

Phelan said that bioskin expects to hire someone to oversee the North American operations; it will not move staff here from Germany.

“Modoc and bioskin share a common vision in their approach to clinical research,” Julie Orr, president and CEO of Modoc Research, said in the release. “Our combined resources will provide our clients with the highest level of expertise, experience and commitment toward successful development of new therapies in dermatology and other related indications.”

At the Greater Wilmington Business Journal’s Power Breakfast on Thursday, New Hanover County Board of Commissioners chairman Jonathan Barfield made reference to the announced alliance, citing the two companies as examples of the kind of “clean tech” that the area wants to attract.