Raleigh, N.C.-based INC Research, a therapeutically focused CRO, has acquired Australian CRO Trident Clinical Research to expand its clinical trials outsourcing footprint and expertise in Australia, New Zealand and India.

Trident will become a wholly owned affiliate of INC Research and will operate as Trident Clinical Research, an INC Research company, through its offices in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Auckland and Mumbai. Trident’s operation in Mumbai will increase the reach of INC Research’s already sizeable clinical and data operations located in Gurgaon, India.

“Trident is an important piece in our strategy to build a sustainable CRO business that both satisfies and anticipates the global drug development needs of our customers,” said James Ogle, CEO of INC Research.

Founded in 1997, Trident has strategically grown to become one of Australia’s largest CROs with more than 100 employees across three countries, a range of services and diverse therapeutic experience, with more than 500 clinical studies completed across phases I to IV, including over 100 phase I studies.

Based on data from the Economist Intelligence Unit, Australia offers significant cost advantages, has a highly efficient regulatory system and is a desirable location to conduct early-phase clinical trials. Australia achieves rapid study timelines without the need for IND or CTA, and is attracting first-in-man and early-phase clinical studies. Trident designs and reports phase I trials as well as manages advanced phase I facilities, leveraging Australia’s streamlined regulatory process to drive efficiencies for its customer’s projects.

“The R&D opportunities in Australia, New Zealand and India for cost-effective local and global drug development programs are enormous,” said Garth Tierney, managing director and co-founder of Trident Clinical Research, who will assume the role of Regional General Manager, Australasia, at INC Research.