GVK Bio to acquire US-based CRO firm Aragen Bioscience

The Hyderabad-based contract research organisation (CRO), GVK Bio, has signed an agreement to acquire US-based Aragen Bioscience Inc, a pre-clinical CRO specialising in high-value biologics services. This is GVK Bio’s first international acquisition; the financial details of which were not disclosed.
 
This deal enables GVK Bio, which has established itself as a pre-eminent small molecule service provider, to expand its service offering to a broader base of organisations and gives it expertise in biologics services and a significant US presence. The acquisition provides Aragen with the ability to expand its service offerings, access to GVK Bio’s global sales force and access to new markets.
 
D S Brar, Chairman, GVK Bio, commented, “As an increasing number of biotech and pharmaceutical companies focus on protein based therapeutics and biosimilars, the acquisition of Aragen Bioscience will strategically enhance GVK Bio’s ability to offer high quality R&D services to the industry from a seamless integrated platform.”
 
Rick Srigley, President & CEO, Aragen Bioscience, added, “Aragen’s scientific excellence and expertise in large-molecule R&D services combined with GVK Bio’s scale, resources, and global reach will create significant synergies for both companies.”
 
Aragen Bioscience Inc is a privately held CRO with offices and laboratories in the San Francisco Bay Area. It offers a diverse set of services for the discovery, characterisation, activity assessment and early development of biologic and diagnostic products.