Adds expertise in drug transporter research and drug-drug interactions.
France-based non-clinical contract research organization (CRO) Citoxlab Group has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Hungary-based CRO Solvo Biotechnology, which specializes in the provision of drug transporter studies drug-drug interaction (DDI) assessments. Financial terms of the deal, which is expected to be finalized shortly, were not disclosed.
The acquisition expands Citoxlab’s facilities to nine, with sites in France, Denmark, Hungary, Canada and the US. The company offers a variety of non-clinical services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, chemical and agrochemical sectors on a global basis. Examples include studies in general and reproductive toxicology, carcinogenicity, immunology, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and bioanalysis/biomarkers, as well as preclinical and clinical bioanalysis and biomarker services and efficacy and safety studies in medical devices.
Solvo brings to Citoxlab Group expertise in the fields of transporters and DDI. Since its founding in 1999, the company has become a leader in drug transporter research, a growing field that supports the investigation of transport mechanisms in drug development. Knowledge of the mechanisms for drug transport and metabolism are essential to understanding the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety profiles of drug candidates and their drug-drug interactions. As such, transporter studies have a regulatory requirement for the establishment of large clinical trials and ultimately obtaining market approvals.
The acquisition of Solvo Biotechnology will allow Citoxlab to offer more comprehensive in vitro Drug Metabolism and PharmacoKinetics (DMPK) services to its customers. Solvo’s areas of expertise complement the in vivo DMPK studies already provided by Citoxlab, according to President and CEO Dr. Jean-Francois Le Bigot. He added: “The international scientific reputation of the Solvo Biotechnology team, which performs more than 50% of its projects for US customers, and the dynamism and entrepreneurship of its founder Ernö Duda, also the Founder of the Hungarian Biotechnology Association, were also key criteria in our decision to acquire Solvo Biotechnology.”
