Alliance Pharma has acquired Drug Development Solutions and attracted KKR as a backer
US-based Alliance Pharma has bought Drug Development Solutions, a bioanalytical and material science testing contractor, from LGC.
The deal – financial terms of which were not provided – has expanded its bioanalytical, analytical material testing and laboratory capabilities internationally Alliance said, citing DDS’ testing operations in Fordham and Sandwich in the UK.
According to DDS the Cambridge facility is one of the largest bioanalytical centers in the world with about 270 employees.
The combined company’s financial backers include Ampersand Capital Partners and KKR & CO, which are equal shareholders in the company. KKR invested in Alliance and DDS through KKR Health Care Strategic Growth Fund II, a $4.0 billion fund focused on investing in high-growth health care companies.
Alliance chairman Dave Patteson said “together, Alliance and DDS will partner with customers on a global basis to provide advanced bioanalytical and analytical material services for both large and small molecules, particularly supporting many emerging bioanalytical and analytical science areas the industry needs right now.
“Alongside Alliance’s bioanalytical expertise, DDS adds an unrivaled breadth and depth of expertise in bioanalysis and analytical and materials science.”
Plans for the DDS acquisition were announced in May when the firm’s said the plan was to expand the company's geographic reach, broaden its laboratory capabilities and expand its service portfolio.
Malvern, Pennsylvania-headquartered Alliance provides discovery bioanalytical, DMPK, regulated bioanalysis, biomarker, LC-MS/MS, immunoassay services as well as cell and gene therapy and protein characterization.
The firm works on all stages of drug development from animal studies through all phases of clinical development. It claims to have a customer base that includes leading global pharma and biotech companies.
Buying DDS fits with the growth strategy that has seen Alliance establish three additional laboratories at its headquarters, including a biosafety level 3 (BSL3) facility with capacity to work with highly dangerous bacterial and viral pathogens.
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