Expanding universe

Consisting of two laboratories, the Analytical Research and Development (ARD) and Quality Control (QC) labs have now doubled in size and expanded the service offerings as the result of Avista’s capital investment.

Using newly installed state-of-the-art systems and equipment, Avista’s full-service offering includes: Chromatographic method development for assay and related substances, potential genotoxic impurities, organic volatile impurities and residual solvents; spectral identification using upgraded FTIR, NMR and UV-Vis instrumentation; structural chemistry and impurity identification through accurate mass LC-MS and generation fragmentation (MSn), 1D and 2D NMR and preparative chromatography isolation; fate and purge studies; extractable/leachable studies; and release and stability testing.

“Expanding our laboratory and adding new service offerings reinforces our commitment to providing our clients with a world-class center of excellence to assist in their product development efforts,” said Patrick Walsh, CEO of Avista. “Our clients choose to work with us because our skilled teams are relentless in support of their project needs.”

GLASGOW, U.K.—Clintec, a global full-service contract research organization, has been presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2017, in the category of international trade—the award ceremony coincided with the official opening of an additional 4,327-square-foot floor at Clintec’s Glasgow-based headquarters, with the additional space forming a fully dedicated center of excellence for clinical research and quality assurance capabilities.

“We are honored to have received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for the second time, through which we celebrate 20 years of global success in clinical research. Furthermore, we are delighted to mark today with the expansion of our clinical operational capabilities and HQ office space for the next stage of company growth,” said Dr. Rabinder Buttar, founder and CEO of Clintec. “Clintec’s high-quality performance and service offering that we have consistently delivered to our customers over the past two decades is well acknowledged. This includes our global footprint, with local expertise, flexibility, agility and high level of service with senior management closely involved in the innovative clinical development programs we expertly deliver.”

RUTHERFORD, N.J. & MELBOURNE, Australia—Cancer Genetics Inc. (CGI) and vivoPharm Pty. Ltd. announced recently that they had entered into a definitive agreement for Cancer Genetics to acquire vivoPharm for approximately $12 million. This transaction is expected to significantly strengthen CGI’s position as a leader in oncology discovery, in-vivo and in-vitro drug development and early-phase clinical trial testing for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

With over a decade of experience in delivering a wide range of discovery and preclinical services to support drug development, target validation and biomarker analysis, vivoPharm has supported over 200 IND submissions for innovative therapies, with a significant focus on immuno-oncology.

“This accretive acquisition immediately strengthens our market position as the premier partner for oncology therapeutic and diagnostic development while furthering our mission to change patient outcomes and improve industry insight into the mechanisms of oncology,” said Panna Sharma, president and CEO of CGI. “Partnering with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to continue advancing our market share in oncology testing and diagnostics has been a proven approach in the development of CGI. vivoPharm furthers our biopharma strategy and adds capabilities to enable our strategy to rescue and repurpose oncology drugs while providing us enhanced, revenue-generating capabilities across a broad and globally diverse client base.”

According to CGI, vivoPharm has developed industry-recognized capabilities in early-phase development and discovery, especially in immuno-oncology models, tumor micro-environment studies, specialized pharmacology services, and patient-derived xenograft model studies that support basic discovery, preclinical and Phase 1 clinical trials. The vivoPharm team is led by Dr. Ralf Brandt and will be fully integrated as the flagship in CGI’s Discovery Services offering, with Brandt serving as the president of CGI Discovery & Early Development Services.

GUILDFORD, U.K.—MedPharm Ltd., which provides contract topical and transdermal pharmaceutical development services, in late August announced the appointment of Simon Redgrove as chairman of the board and Dr. Jeremy Drummond as Vice president of business development and member of the Executive Leadership Team—both appointments come as MedPharm benefits from increased revenues as a result of integrating services with its fully functioning U.S. laboratory facilities in North Carolina.

Simon Redgrove has built a strong reputation in the financial business community for nurturing the growth of businesses. He will provide overall guidance to the board and brings a depth of knowledge of fostering companies like MedPharm through critical growth stages in their development. Simon was a founder and managing director of Cavanagh Group PLC in 1996 which he took to the AIM market in 2001 and sold to Close Brothers in 2011. Subsequently as Head of Advice at Close Brothers Asset Management he was instrumental in turning around the business. In 2015 Simon cofounded MunnyPot Ltd, a low cost online investment service.