Fortrea has completed its acquisition of Worldwide Clinical Trials’ Early Phase Services division for approximately $45 million in cash, adding clinical research and laboratory facilities in Texas.
The transaction, announced Oct. 19, brings Fortrea a 200-bed clinical pharmacology unit in San Antonio, a 60,000-square-foot bioanalytical laboratory in Austin and a biospecimen storage facility in Pflugerville.
The acquisition increases Fortrea’s global early-phase clinical capacity to more than 570 beds and adds dedicated capabilities for analyzing large and small molecules. The acquired operations are now part of its Clinical Pharmacology Services business.
The San Antonio unit complies with Good Clinical Practice standards, while the Austin laboratory operates under Good Laboratory Practice standards, according to the company.
Fortrea said combining clinical research and bioanalytical operations is intended to reduce handoffs between teams, shorten turnaround times and support larger or more complex studies.
The facilities will support work ranging from first-in-human trials through proof-of-concept studies and later-stage development. They also expand Fortrea’s North American clinical research footprint and access to different volunteer populations.
Chief Executive Anshul Thakral said the purchase forms part of Fortrea’s investment in expanding its development services. Scott Dove, president of Clinical Pharmacology Services, said the added laboratory and research capacity would support study execution and data generation.
Fortrea and Worldwide Clinical Trials have entered into agreements intended to maintain ongoing studies and client support during the transition. The companies said continuity for employees, clients and volunteers remains a priority.