WuXi AppTec acquires US clinical research firm ResearchPoint Global

In line with its expansion strategies, Shanghai based biotechnology and medical-device developer WuXi AppTec Group has acquired U.S.-based clinical research company ResearchPoint Global.

The Chinese firm said on a statement, "The acquisition will help expand WuXi’s clinical research capabilities in the United States and around the world. The deal will combine ResearchPoint with WuXi’s existing China-based clinical development service team."

WuXi Chairman and CEO Li Ge said, "This business combination lays the groundwork for the creation of an integrated global clinical service organization with global expertise and a global network."

Upon completion of the acquisition, RPG will become a wholly owned subsidiary of WuXi, with its service integrated with WuXi’s existing China-based, 500-member clinical development service team—or a CRO in the traditional sense—plus 1,000 clinical research coordinators under its site management organization (SMO).

Founded in 1999, RPG provides a full range of services, including protocol consulting, project and site management, safety and medical monitoring, clinical monitoring, data management, biostatistics, as well as regulatory support and medical writing, across all phases of clinical development spanning all major therapeutic areas. Based in Austin, Texas, the full-service CRO has 450 employees, 15 global offices and clinical service operations in over 60 countries, having established close relationships with enterprises in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Israel.

WuXi is in an acquisition spree and has kept up its pace of overseas investments, eyeing strategic acquisitions. In January, it formed an alliance with biopharmaceutical giant AbbVie Inc. and life-sciences startup Genomics Medicine Ireland Ltd. to conduct population genomics research. In November, it created a strategic biologics development and manufacturing partnership with Australia’s Prima Biomed Ltd.