The deal is part of Intertek's strategic growth to better serve the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries by providing a comprehensive range of state of the art analytical testing services. Intertek provides quality control and safety services to a wide range of industries and saw revenues increase by 20 per cent to £327m from £272m for the first six months of 2006 compared to 2005.
Speaking to DrugResearcher.com Dr John Conti-Ramsden, vice-president of pharmaceuticals, Intertek Analytical Services, said: "Intertek's major (chemical analysis) facilities prior to the acquisition of Alta focussed on product quality testing. Alta brings bioanalytical testing to that offering."
Alta, formed in 1990, provides contract immunochemistry and bioanalytical analysis of pre-clinical and clinical samples to assist the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in drug development and generic bioequivalence. Their high throughput sample analysis systems allow customers to follow the activity of a drug or toxin on a sample over time, as well as allowing the analysis of biologics as drug candidates and the testing of generic biological compounds as biosimilars.
Dr Conti-Ramsden sees the purchase of the 110-person company as a strong platform for further development of its services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
While Intertek acknowledge the trend of research and development to move to Asia they don't feel the shift of will impede their business, and may indeed assist it as drug companies look for more cost-effective analysis solutions.
The Alta Analytical Laboratory business heads, Bob Bethem and Dr Jo Smolec, said: "Acquisition by Intertek allows Alta the ability to invest in the next phase of expansion to grow our services and offer extended expertise to our existing clients." "Becoming part of Intertek's global business and reach provides a powerful opportunity to expand our bio-analytical services to existing and new international customers and markets."