The Ireland-based firm has acquired US firm Drug Safety Alliance (DSA), which provides safety and risk management services for pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms. The deal – worth $21m – will see DSA’s 94 staff join UD’s sales marketing and medical division.
Also today United Drug has purchased US-based market access services group Synopia for $12m. The firm – which will also be merged with UD’s sales unit – provides market and payer strategy development services for drugmakers.
The deals follow just a few days after UD bought the UK and US packaging operations of India’s Bilcare.
The move fits with UD’s efforts to expand its business scope, diversify its offering and extend its international reach as part of an effort to counteract the impact of the economic downturn in Ireland.
This strategy has seen it buy British firm Water Medical Consultancy and German market services group Pharmexx in the last few months.