Pharmaron Holdings acquired Bridge Laboratories China this week for an undisclosed sum, building on the contract research organization’s (CRO’s) existing presence in China.  

The acquisition gives Pharmaron access to an 84,000-square-foot preclinical laboratory with western Good Laboratory Practice-compliant preclinical toxicology service capabilities. According to Pharmaron, it is the first CRO in China to offer these services.

 “Pharmaron has built an exceptional team of scientists specialized in the areas of discovery and process chemistry, biology, DMPK, pharmacology and GMP manufacturing. The acquisition of Bridge Laboratories China enhances our drug R&D service capabilities by adding world-class expertise in western standard GLP-compliant toxicology and safety pharmacology to our diverse service portfolio,” said Pharmaron chairman and CEO Dr. Boliang Lou in a statement. “Pharmaron is now the first CRO in China to provide fully integrated drug discovery and development services, from discovery chemistry to IND filings.”

Bridge Laboratories China was a part of Maryland-based Bridge Laboratories until its U.S. assets were sold off in a management buyout last month.