EQT has agreed to acquire a majority stake in healthcare technology provider Certara from Arsenal Capital Partners for $850 million. Arsenal is keeping a minority stake in the target.

Certara, headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, provides software and consulting services to the biopharmaceutical industry. Certara's technology uses model simulations to help improve drug development and patient outcomes. In addition, the target advises clients on regulatory processes. Certara serves 1,200 commercial companies, 250 academic institutions. Arsenal acquired Certara in 2013.

"This new strategic partnership with EQT will enable us to strengthen our core offerings as well as to capitalize on transformative next-phase growth opportunities," says Certara CEO Edmundo Muniz.

Related deals across the middle market include: WNS Holdings Ltd.'s (NYSE: WNS) acquisition of management company HealthHelp for $95 million; Genstar Capital’s buying of Bracket Global LLC, a clinical trial technology and data collection service provider; and Thoma Bravo LLC’s purchase of MedeAnalytics Inc., a cloud-based financial performance analytics company for the healthcare industry.

Jefferies LLC , William Blair & Co., DLA Piper and Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP are advising Certara. Centerview Partners ind Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP are advisng EQT.