QPS, a global GLP/GCP-compliant CRO providing testing services for preclinical and clinical R&D, has acquired a majority interest of Qualitix Clinical Research. Qualitix, a spin-off of Taiwan-based biotech Genovate, is a CRO and site management organization (SMO) with offices in Taiwan and China. Genovate will retain a minority interest in Qualitix, which will be known as QPS-Qualitix Taiwan.

QPS’s areas of expertise include toxicology, DMPK, bioanalytical, translational medicine, early-stage and late-stage clinical research.  Qualitix offers research development services to clients in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries engaged in new drug development and phase I-IV multinational clinical trials.

The QPS-Qualitix merger will also involve ownership of a subsidiary corporation called Unitix, an SMO that handles QPS-Qualitix patient recruitment in the region.

"We are very happy to partner with QPS. This partnership will not only allow Qualitix to vertically integrate with QPS for more global exposure and market competitiveness, but also offer complete services from preclinical to clinical to expedite new drug development," said Dr. Jen Chen, CEO of Genovate.

"This expansion in phase I-IV clinical capability dovetails with our recent preclinical facility acquisition here in Taiwan," said Vincent Yen, president and CEO of QPS-Taiwan.