Concept Life Sciences, an integrated drug discovery, development and analytical services company, has acquired Aquila BioMedical, an innovative preclinical CRO with expertise in immuno-oncology, immunology and multiplex histology. Aquila is based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Aquila’s expertise focuses on the development of therapeutics for oncology, biomarker discovery, and target expression, with services covering a wide range of in vitro and in vivo proof-of-concept studies. The acquisition is a pivotal addition to the comprehensive range of integrated services Concept provides, supporting customers throughout the drug discovery and development process. Aquila was formed in 2011 by experts from The University of Edinburgh. 

Aquila has developed novel technologies to help customers to better understand the cellular and molecular events that occur with compound administration. Bespoke assays allow both phenotypic screening and target based research methods, to enable hit identification and optimization of compound and target selection, directly increasing the compound success rate and reducing the overall cost associated with drug development.

Michael Fort, executive chairman, Concept Life Sciences, said: “We are excited to add Aquila to the Concept group. The company’s offering in translational biology adds significant value to our current discovery services, and broadens the wider group’s therapy offering. Both Aquila and Concept have been built around the same value of working closely with customers to tailor services according to the project objectives, and together we will provide high quality, integrated solutions.”