INC Research, a Raleigh, N.C.-based contract research organization (CRO),has acquired Pharmaceutical Research (PRC), a late stage–focused CRO based in Hatboro, Penn. INC was actively searching for an opportunity to grow in the area of late stage trials. The acquisition allows INC to expand its phase IIIb/IV capabilities. About 90% of INC’s business is in the phase I to III market, while 70% of the trials that PRC services are in phase IIIb/IV. “PRC has a strong reputation in that area, and so they were an obvious choice for us to talk to. It was also culturally similar with some great goals for growth,” John Potthoff, president and chief operating officer, INC Research told CWWeekly.