INC Research is continuing its acquisition driven growth strategy by buying APAC-focused CRO Trident Clinical Research.

Acquiring Trident furthers efforts at INC to gain the scale and geographic reach to compete for strategic partnerships with the top contract research organisations (CRO). In particular, the buy gives INC its first offices in Australia and New Zealand, plus an expanded presence in India.

“Trident has established an exceptional reputation in the region with emerging biotechs to local affiliates of global pharmaceutical companies and major principal investigator units. We are very happy to add them to our team”, said James Ogle, CEO of INC.

Buying Trident gives INC three offices in Australia, in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and another in Auckland, New Zealand. Successful completion of the Kendle takeover, which is due to close in the third quarter, would also give INC offices in Sydney and Melbourne.

Phase I assets

Expanding in Australia through buying Trident should benefit Phase I operations at INC. A 2005 report by the Economist Intelligence Unit praised the efficient early phase regulatory system in Australia and the nation is in the process of revising and improving the clinical trial process.

“Fast approval processes, high quality clinical practice and academic clinical trials centres” attract Phase I work to Australia, said a report by a group set up by the government to look at reforming the research sector.