Chinese CRO Pharmaron has bought out U.S. accelerator mass spectrometry specialist Xceleron to boost its radiolabeled sciences offering.
The Maryland-based company’s tech can help seek out both small and large molecules at low concentrations and help life science firms find the next gen of meds, something it has been doing for nearly 20 years.
The addition of its services will complement Pharmaron’s existing platforms of radiolabeled compound manufacturing and radiolabeled metabolism, which are currently done in the U.K.
“The combination of AMS and other established analytical technologies at Pharmaron supports early discovery, preclinical and clinical development,” the company, which is based in Beijing but has offices around the world, said.
It added that the deal is a part of Pharmaron’s strategy to “provide fully integrated, end-to-end R&D services.” Financial details have not been disclosed.
Dr. Boliang Lou, chairman and CEO of Pharmaron, said: “We are pleased to welcome another industry-leading R&D platform to the Pharmaron group, once again demonstrating our commitment to becoming a global leader in drug R&D services.
“The addition of Xceleron develops and differentiates our capabilities in translational science and clinical development services, and further strengthens our ability to support our worldwide collaborators and partners with fully integrated pharmaceutical R&D services.”
The deal comes nearly a year after the CRO snapped up fellow contract org Quotient Bioresearch, which is based in the U.K., as it looked to broaden its reach both technically and geographically.
In September, it also picked up an R&D facility, also in the U.K., from Merck & Co. for an undisclosed lease amount, giving it yet another foothold in Europe.
Dr. Michael Butler, CEO at Xceleron, added: “With the support of our investors, the Xceleron team has worked diligently to create an analytical platform that is now accepted as a valuable component of the contemporary pharmaceutical development tool-box.
“We are excited to become a part of Pharmaron’s integrated drug research and development platform as it allows for new opportunities to serve our customers arising from the combination of our AMS technology with Pharmaron’s extensive and growing capabilities.”