Citoxlab acquires Solvo Biotechnology, the leading CRO specializing in drug transporter research and Drug-Drug Interactions

Evreux, France and Budapest, Hungary, March 12, 2018 – Citoxlab Group, a leading player among non-clinical CROs, announces today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Solvo Biotechnology, a CRO specializing in drug transporter studies and the assessment of Drug-Drug Interactions (DDI). The closing of this operation will take place within the next month. Financial details were not disclosed.

Founded in 1999, Solvo Biotechnology is the international leader in the field of drug transporter research. This field is growing rapidly as the investigation of the transport mechanisms becomes pivotal for drug development. Alongside metabolism data, a thorough knowledge of the drug candidates’ transport is key to identifying potential DDI, in addition to developing an understanding of their pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety profile. Transporter studies are a regulatory requirement for entering large clinical trials and then requesting a marketing authorization from health regulatory agencies.

Solvo Biotechnology has a staff of around 100 people, located on two sites in Budapest and Szeged, Hungary. Its robust scientific reputation is notably based on many publications in international journals as well as the company’s own publication: ‘The Transporter Book’ which serves as a reference in the transporter research community.

Through this new acquisition, Citoxlab reinforces its leading position in the non-clinical CRO field, with consolidated sales of $167 million (€136 million) and a staff of 1,300, spread over nine sites – France (Evreux and Saint-Nazaire), Canada (Laval and Boisbriand), the US (Kansas-City), Denmark (Copenhagen) and Hungary (Veszprém, and now Budapest and Szeged).

Dr. Jean-Francois Le Bigot, President and CEO of Citoxlab Group said: « The acquisition of Solvo Biotechnology will allow us to offer the most elaborated in vitro Drug Metabolism and PharmacoKinetics (DMPK) services to our customers. These are fully complementary with the in vivo DMPK studies we already provide from our sites in France, the US and Canada. As an example, using in vitro human hepatocytes, the assessment of transport and metabolism is possible at a very early stage of development. These investigations are increasingly included in the selection of lead candidates; in vitro inter-species comparisons now contribute significantly to the selection of the relevant species in safety studies. Naturally, the international scientific reputation of the Solvo Biotechnology team, which performs more than 50% of its projects for US customers, and the dynamism and entrepreneurship of its founder Ernö Duda, also founder of the Hungarian Biotechnology Association, were also key criteria in our decision to acquire Solvo Biotechnology.”

Ernö Duda, President and CEO of Solvo Biotechnology said: “We are very proud that a leader like Citoxlab agreed to invest in our company. We were well aware of their reputation as a science-driven CRO, in particular for strategic decisions and also the respect they have demonstrated for the team and the culture of the companies acquired in the past. I am very confident that joining Citoxlab Group is a good opportunity for the future international development of Solvo Biotechnology and its team. We have already identified several concrete short term scientific and business development opportunities which will allow us to offer our clients an even broader portfolio of assays.”

About Citoxlab Group

With nine facilities located in France (Evreux and Saint-Nazaire), Canada (Laval and Boisbriand), the US (Kansas-City), Denmark (Copenhagen) and Hungary (Veszprém, Budapest, Szeged), Citoxlab Group offers a comprehensive range of preclinical services to meet the needs of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, chemical and agrochemical companies worldwide. Citoxlab carries out studies in general and reproductive toxicology, carcinogenicity, immunology, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and bioanalysis/biomarkers. Citoxlab and Atlanbio also offer both preclinical and clinical bioanalysis and biomarker services. AccelLAB provides efficacy and safety studies in medical devices (cardiology, ENT, orthopedics, and regenerative medicine). With Solvo Biotechnology joining the Group, products and services in the field of transporters and DDI are now available.

Today, Citoxlab has 1,300 employees working at nine sites with state-of-the-art facilities. The company has a world-class, top-level management team in scientific, financial and business activities.

www.citoxlab.com

About Solvo

With 19 years of experience and 500 customers in 40 countries, Solvo Biotechnology is the international leading CRO which provides high quality products and services in the field of drug transporter research and Drug-Drug Interactions. Leveraging its expertise in efflux and uptake transporters, Solvo Biotechnology offers a large panel of in vitro methods to meet the requirements of pharmaceutical and biotech companies developing small molecules to protein therapeutics prior to submission to FDA/EMA/MLHW.

www.solvo.com