U.K.-based Chiltern, a 32-year-old global CRO specializing in oncology services and a range of other therapeutic areas, has acquired Ockham, a 28-year-old oncology-focused CRO, and the two companies will merge their operations.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

The combined company—both have operations in North Carolina—will be called Chiltern, and Ockham’s management will join the leadership of the enlarged entity. Chiltern’s CEO, Jim Esinhart, Ph.D., will be CEO of the Chiltern Group, with James V. Baker, Ockham’s CEO, becoming chief development officer.

“In Ockham’s continuing progression toward building the top niche oncology CRO, our joining with Chiltern has been an easy choice, allowing us to leverage Chiltern’s global reach and highly developed staffing business in Europe, both of which are complementary to Ockham’s deep oncology expertise and source business in the U.S.,” said Baker in a prepared statement. “We are fortunate to have found the ideal partner with a complete understanding and commitment of the unique needs of our emerging biotech clientele.”

Calling the deal a complementary transaction, the companies said the merger will strengthen combined service offerings in three strategic areas:

• Oncology specialization with expertise across all clinical phases of development, known as Chiltern Oncology;
• Biopharmaceutical services with global reach and scale, including deep therapeutic experience in respiratory, ophthalmology, infectious disease, vaccines and dermatology, known as Chiltern Biopharmaceuticals; and
• Global Functional Service Provider (FSP) /Sourcing provision specializing in helping people find employment across clinical, regulatory, medical and biometric areas, known as Chiltern Source.

Chiltern said the combined company will provide services across a global network of offices and expertise.

“The merger is a natural progression toward our strategic goal of becoming the premier specialized mid-tier CRO,” Esinhart said in a prepared statement.  “There is a perfect strategic fit between our companies, and I’m excited to work with the entire Ockham team to ensure a seamless continuation in the delivery of high-quality services to all of the combined company’s clients.”