Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS) and Harlan Laboratories will formally merge under one brand to reflect a new integrated management structure and broader product and service offerings of the combined organizations.

Two core business units of research model and services (RMS) and contract research services (CRS) have been established from existing capabilities across Harlan and HLS, as well as subsidiaries of both companies. The RMS business unit provides research models, lab animal diets and bedding and support services from 30 sites worldwide. The CRS business unit offers drug development and environmental sciences services, including safety assessment, analytical, metabolism, CMC and regulatory consultancy from nine facilities in Europe, the U.S. and the Middle East.

Brian Cass, CEO, said, “The decision to rebrand the two companies as one entity is the natural progression of a sustained integration process that was put in place last year. It is a symbol of the fact that as one integrated company we are now able to further diversify the range of products and services we can provide to the market, further supporting existing relationships whilst growing our business globally with new customers. It’s a hugely exciting time for our company, with our customer-led focus and flexibility in approach, our goal is to establish our new company as the number one development partner for customer service and scientific expertise.”

The combined company has 3,500 staff and sales approaching $500 million. As a result of the integration, the company is one of the largest providers of research services to the crop protection and chemical industries, suppliers of research models and services and providers of preclinical pharmaceutical development.

The formal rebrand completion and implementation will be later this year.

HLS is a privately held global provider of essential non-clinical contract research services to the pharmaceutical, crop protection and chemical industries. Harlan Laboratories is a privately held provider of non-clinical contract research, research models and services, animal diets and products, as well as services to the pharma, biotech, medical device, crop protection and chemical industries, universities, government and other research organizations.

Check out the Monday, March 02, CWWeekly to read Ron Rosenberg's story for more information.