The unit, which will operate as KCAS from its existing headquarters in Shawnee, Kansas, will provide analytical services for both the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors in collaboration with the State’s Bioscience Authority.
As part of ZeeCRO, the division undertook some 834 drug assays and thousands of PK, TK and bioequivalence studies on behalf of a large number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms.
Unit leader Dari Dadgar, who has named president of KCAS, said: “We are excited to partner with KVCI and the Kansas Bioscience Authority to bring our customer-focused culture and values back to both Kansas City and the industries we serve.”
Michael Lanman, who will continue to serve as KCAS’ operations executive, agreed, commenting that: “In addition to providing access to significant capital resources, the combined KVCI and KBA effort offers extensive pharmaceutical expertise.”
ZeeCRO
For ZeeCRO, the sale is the latest step in the restructuring strategy the contract research organisation (CRO) has employed since it changed its name from AAI Pharma in October this year.
This process began with the sale of AAI Pharma’s development services unit to another US private equity investment group, Water Street Healthcare Partners (WSHP), in July.
WSHP continues to operate AAIPharma from its base in Wilmington, North Carolina under the AAIPharma Services brand name. The unit offers analytical chemistry, formulation development, clinical packaging, oral drug delivery and contract manufacturing services.
ZeeCRO on the other hand has focused on expanding its network of trial offices throughout North and South America, Europe and South Africa to provides a range of clinical development and pharmaceutical analysis services.