Chiltern acquires Ockham
Contract research organisations merge their operations
Chiltern and Ockham, two full-service contract research organisations (CROs) headquartered in Slough, Berkshire, UK and Cary, North Carolina, US, respectively, are to merge their operations following Chiltern's acquisition of Ockham for an undisclosed sum.
The combined company will be called Chiltern and Ockham’s management team will join the management of the enlarged group, thus ensuring a seamless continuation of high quality services.
Chiltern’s CEO, Jim Esinhart, will be CEO of the larger Chiltern Group, with Ockham’s CEO, James Baker, becoming Chief Development Officer. Nick Thornton will remain as Chairman.
This merger is a natural progression towards our strategic goal of becoming the premier specialised mid-tier CRO
The companies say the transaction significantly strengthens their combined service offerings in three areas: oncology specialisation with extensive expertise across all clinical phases of development (Chiltern Oncology); biopharmaceutical services with global reach and scale, including deep therapeutic experience in respiratory, ophthalmology, infectious disease, vaccines and dermatology (Chiltern Biopharmaceutics); and Global Functional Service Provider (FSP)/Sourcing provision specialising in tailored resourcing solutions across clinical, regulatory, medical and biometrics (Chiltern Source).
Clients will benefit from a fuller range of services across a global network of offices and expertise, the companies say.
'This merger is a natural progression towards our strategic goal of becoming the premier specialised mid-tier CRO,' said Esinhart. 'There is a perfect strategic fit between our companies.'
Baker added: 'In Ockham’s continuing progression toward building the top niche oncology CRO, our joining with Chiltern has been an easy choice, allowing us to leverage Chiltern’s global reach and highly developed staffing business in Europe, both of which are complementary to Ockham’s deep oncology expertise and source business in the US. We are fortunate to have found the ideal partner with a complete understanding and commitment to the unique needs of our emerging biotech clientele.'
