Asia-Pacific CRO George Clinical has topped up its cancer services and boosted its U.S. presence after acquiring Memphis, Tennessee-based Vector Oncology’s CRO division.
Financial terms were not revealed, but Australia-based George Clinical says the deal “has the dual purpose of strengthening the ability of George Clinical to provide scientifically led oncology trial delivery solutions throughout the Asia-Pacific, the world’s most populous region; and, more broadly, to expand George Clinical’s robust operational expertise and scientific leadership in vascular, renal and respiratory diseases, neurology and endocrinology, throughout the United States.”
George Clinical’s HQ is in Australia, and it currently works out of 11 countries around the world, with major hubs in East Asia, China and India.
Getting its hands on Vector’s CRO unit gives George Clinical access to the valuable U.S. market, a gateway too for North America and Europe, something that it had been lacking before the buy.
“The Vector Oncology Pharma Services (CRO) team is excited to become part of George Clinical and to extend our services into new geographies, with leading experts in other chronic disease areas,” said Sean Hart, EVP and MD of Vector Oncology.
“It is difficult to find two companies more suited to each other. The marriage of scientific and operational excellence has been a core value of Vector Oncology since the organisation’s inception. Dr Lee Schwartzberg and Dr Ari VanderWalde will continue in their roles as scientific leaders and consultants in oncology research under the George Clinical banner. We are confident that the foundations of scientific, operational and personal excellence will be continued and strengthened under this new arrangement.”
Under the deal, Hart will lead George Clinical’s U.S. ops and its global late-phase study offerings.
“While the formal acquisition takes effect immediately, there will be no disruption to the services of both organisations, as their activities, values and standard operating procedures are complementary and will be readily integrated into the other,” the pair added in a statement.
By Ben Adams
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