Chinese CRO Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting, through its subsidiary Hong Kong Tigermed, will acquire a majority ownership position in Exton, Pa.-based Frontage Laboratories for $50.25 million in cash.  

Frontage provides services in bioanalysis, preclinical and early phase clinical studies, drug development (CMC) services and DMPK support. It offers services from discovery through late stage clinical trials for novel, generic and consumer product development programs. It also owns Frontage Lab (Shanghai). Tigermed currently has about 1,000 employees in over 50 locations in China and Asia Pacific. 

Frontage will continue to operate independently. Dr. Song Li will continue to serve as CEO, and its current management team will remain in place after the transaction.

“Tigermed is continuing to develop our capabilities to enhance our development solution offerings and help our customers reduce the time and cost of product development,” said Dr. Xiaoping Ye, founder and CEO of Tigermed. “We are achieving this goal through a strategic combination of our clinical development expertise and well-recognized technology service providers like Frontage.”

“Tigermed is the ideal fit for Frontage,” said Dr. Song Li, founder and CEO of Frontage Laboratories. “Frontage’s specialties in early phase development and CMC services are wholly complementary to Tigermed’s strengths in late phase clinical development in China and other Asia Pacific countries. This partnership enables Frontage to offer its existing clients a more comprehensive solution for clinical trial support, from phases I through IV. In turn, Tigermed’s clients will now have better access to early phase development solutions to facilitate efficient development programs.”