Raleigh, N.C.-based INC Research, a therapeutically focused CRO privately held by Avista Capital Partners and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, has completed the acquisition of Kendle International in an all-cash transaction with a total equity value of approximately $232 million or $15.25 per share.

The combined company will operate as INC Research and be led by James T. Ogle, CEO. Serving in key corporate roles will be Jamie Macdonald, COO; John Potthoff, Ph.D., president; David Gill, CFO; Neil MacAllister, executive vice president, corporate and business development, INC Research and president, AVOS Consulting; and Mark Roseman, DSc, executive vice president, business development and marketing.

According to INC Research, with the addition of Kendle it now employs approximately 5,000 employees across six continents with experience in more than 100 countries, placing it among the top-tier CROs worldwide. With enhanced global scale, expanded therapeutic expertise and new levels of operational excellence, the new organization is more strongly positioned to deliver clinical trials of all sizes across the drug development spectrum, the company said. The transaction follows INC Research’s recent acquisition of Trident Clinical Research, now a wholly owned affiliate operating in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Auckland and Mumbai.

“Biopharmaceutical companies of all sizes are relying on outsourcing partners earlier in the clinical trials process,” said Ogle. “This transaction has enhanced our value proposition to global drug developers and given us a broader range of local operations with global oversight, allowing us to maintain high standards and quality results.”

INC Research has deployed a joint integration team that has begun fully integrating the two companies' customers, employees and services. This team will seek to ensure continued delivery on all current trials and maintain the company’s Trusted Process, advisory services and therapeutic expertise.

For the transaction J.P. Morgan Securities acted as Kendle’s financial advisor and Keating, Muething & Klekamp acted as its legal advisor. Morgan Stanley & Co. acted as financial advisor and Weil, Gotshal & Manges acted as legal advisor to INC Research.