Kendle Expands Global Clinical Pharmacology Capabilities With Acquisition Of DecisionLine Clinical Research Corporation
Kendle, a leading global full-service clinical research organization (CRO), recently announced the acquisition of DecisionLine Clinical Research Corporation (DecisionLine Clinical Services), a privately owned, early phase CRO with a state-of-the-art medical facility in Toronto, Canada. DecisionLine specializes in the conduct of Phase I studies involving the measurement of pharmacodynamic effects of central nervous system (CNS) drugs, and is recognized worldwide as a leader in the conduct of human abuse liability studies and the assessment of abuse potential and risk mitigation. The company brings to Kendle extensive world-class scientific expertise with psychopharmacology high-end exploratory/translational medicine capabilities, from first-in-human to proof-of-concept trial conduct, as well as drug development consulting, medical writing, data management, biostatistics and other support services. Kendle acquired DecisionLine for an undisclosed cash amount. Specific terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquired business will report into Philip J.W. Davies, Vice President, Early Phase.
"With Phase I growth expected to outpace the broader outsourcing market at approximately 15 percent annually, early phase development remains an important need for our customers and an area of significant growth opportunity for Kendle," said President Simon Higginbotham. "The addition of DecisionLine is an important step in building Kendle's global capabilities for exploration of early phase drug candidates and supports our strategic initiative to drive growth in our Phase I business. We look forward to leveraging the benefits of our combined and strengthened scientific expertise as we assist our customers in tapping their most promising new compounds for development."
DecisionLine was founded in 1997 by President and CEO Edward M. Sellers, MD, PhD, FRCPC, FACP and Senior Vice President, Research Development & Medical Affairs Myroslava K. Romach, MSc, MD, FRCPC. The company's 82-bed, 36,000-square foot medical facility is staffed by a team of internationally recognized scientists, including clinical pharmacologists and neuropsychologists, physicians, research nurses, pharmacists, paramedics and research assistants. DecisionLine employs approximately 110 full-time and 130 part-time associates. The company has grown its revenue at an average compound annual growth rate of 60 percent since 2002, and has been named to Profit magazine's list of the top 100 fastest growing companies in Canada. Dr. Sellers and Dr. Romach will play key leadership roles as part of Kendle's Early Phase organization. Dr. Sellers will serve as General Manager, Early Phase, Toronto and Senior Scientist, Kendle International and Dr. Romach will assume the role of Head of Clinical Operations and Medical Affairs, Early Phase, Toronto and Senior Scientist, Kendle International.
"We are extremely pleased to join Kendle," said Dr. Sellers, "DecisionLine's specialized experience in Phase I together with Kendle's global capabilities and footprint will provide great benefits to the customers, investors and associates of our combined organization as we work to establish Kendle as a world leader in early phase development services."
Kendle's existing early phase capabilities include a Clinical Pharmacology Unit (CPU) in Utrecht, The Netherlands, and a Bioequivalence Unit in Morgantown, W.Va. Kendle's CPU is strategically located on the campus of University Hospital Utrecht and includes a 48-bed facility plus visit area with on-site project management, recruitment and screening, sample handling, pharmacy (GMP), quality control, clinical data management, biostatistics, medical writing, a Phase IIA team and independent Clinical Quality Assurance. The company's bioequivalence facility, located near West Virginia University, has been in operation for more than 25 years and provides bed space for 118 subjects.
Investor Webcast and Conference Call
Kendle will host a telephone conference call and Webcast Tuesday, June 3 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the DecisionLine acquisition and provide an update on second quarter progress.
Conference Call Details
Dial in: 800-399-0069 (United States and Canada)
706-643-3694 (Outside North America)
Replay: 706-645-9291
Conference ID Number 50042856
Webcast
Please go to www.kendle.com or www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=48934. The Webcast will be
archived at www.kendle.com(click on "Investors") shortly after the call.
The conference call and archived Webcast will be available until 5 p.m. Eastern Time on July 3.
About Kendle
Kendle International Inc. is a leading global clinical research organization providing the full range of early- to late-stage clinical development services for the world's biopharmaceutical industry. Our focus is on innovative solutions that reduce cycle times for our customers and accelerate the delivery of life-enhancing drugs to market for the benefit of patients worldwide. As one of the fastest-growing global providers of Phase I-IV services, we offer experience spanning 90 countries, along with industry-leading patient access and retention capabilities and broad therapeutic expertise, to meet our customers' clinical development challenges. Kendle was named "Top CRO to Work With" in the Thomson CenterWatch 2007 survey of U.S. investigative sites and "Best CRO" for 2007 and 2006 by leading global pharmaceutical publication Scrip World Pharmaceutical News. For more information visit www.kendle.com
SOURCE: Kendle