aster.cephac is proud to announce that we have joined the SGS Group. We are excited to be joining forces with SGS’ Life Science Services and look forward to combining the strengths of both our companies in order to provide you with even higher quality services and larger capacity. Together, we are now the European leader in early clinical research services.
We have put together a quick Q&A sheet that we hope will answer any questions you may have about this. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at E-mail:
1. Why has SGS’ Life Science Services combined with aster.cephac?
Since its establishment in 1975, aster.cephac has become one of the most well known providers of early clinical research services (full service Phase I-IIa). Thanks to our high-quality services and broad range of expertise and experience, aster.cephac represents an excellent development in SGS’ Life Science Services strategy, which is to be a world leader in early clinical research. Furthermore, aster.cephac’s dynamic management team and open culture are both compatible with SGS’ values and will help ensure a smooth integration.
2. What are the advantages to aster.cephac’s current service offering?
aster.cephac’s service offering will be expanded in several areas, to the advantage of our customers:
- Early phase: SGS will add the following services to aster.cephac’s current offering: radiolabeled ADME trials, special populations (renally impaired, hepatically impaired, pediatric trials, postmenopausal women, sterilised women, elderly, slow metabolisers) and patients for Proof-of-Concept trials (metabolic (obese, diabetes (type II),), respiratory diseases (asthmatic/COPD, cystic fibrosis), CNS (schizophrenic, Alzheimer, epilepsy) and infectious diseases (HIV)).
- Late phase: SGS has carried out more than 800 projects in international clinical trial management, data management (Clintrial)/statistics/medical writing, regulatory affairs services and pharmacovigilance.
- Larger capacity: as the bed capacity will be expanded by 90 beds, more space will be available for Aster’s clients – the same applies to Cephac’s Sponsors: SGS will add 10 late generation LC/MS-MS (API 4000 and 3000) to the capacity as well as a portfolio of over 400 methods.
Additionally, with offices in Europe, the US and Asia, SGS’ Life Science Services will add a global presence to aster.cephac’s client base. By joining SGS, aster.cephac will benefit from the resources and structure of a large multinational company, whose strategy is to become a worldwide leader in Life Science Services.
3. Will aster.cephac continue to deliver the same quality?
High quality services and good organization are of the foundations of aster-cephac’s brand name and reputation. SGS Life Sciences and aster.cephac are committed to ensuring the continuation of this high-quality strategy, making it a Company-wide objective.
4. Will my contacts at aster.cephac change?
Your day-to-day contacts within the Business Development and operational teams at aster.cephac will remain the same. The objective of the integration process is to ensure that all customers receive fast and efficient communication from our scientific, technical and BD teams. All staff will therefore continue in their current functions for the time being and our Sponsors will continue working with the people they are used to and have confidence in.
We have decided, however, that in the interests of our Sponsors we will adapt our organisation once the integration process is complete, in order to provide a single point of contact for all BD related matters (proposals, contracts etc.). We believe that this will improve communication. Our main priority throughout the integration process will be customer satisfaction.
5. Which company name will be used in the future?
As aster.cephac is well known in the market of early clinical research, we will continue to use this brand name. However, in order to show that we all belong to one group, we will use “SGS aster.cephac”, labelling us as a division of SGS’ Life Science Services. On an individual company level, the legal entities’ names will be changed to “SGS Aster SAS” and “SGS Cephac SAS” respectively.
By using a combination of both Company names, we aim to preserve the brands (aster.cephac and SGS) that are associated with high-quality services in the market place.
6. What about existing contracts?
The SGS Group has acquired 100% of the shares in Aster and Cephac. Aster SAS and Cephac SAS remain legal entities, unchanged, in France. Contracts with sponsors will therefore be in the name of Aster SAS and Cephac SAS respectively. An official signed statement, in which SGS confirms that it will assume all contractual obligations, is available on request.
For new contracts, the Sponsor can choose which site they would like their studies to be carried out at. The contracts will therefore be agreed between the Sponsor and the chosen site.
7. What about new projects/proposals?
For the execution of trials in the future, the choice of site (France or Belgium) will depend on:
- The Sponsor’s choice (most important decision parameter)
- The experience of the site
- The capacity / slot availability
With regards to RFP contacts, the rule is: there will be no changes for the Sponsor. Our clients will continue to work with the people they are used to working with. If there are any problems in terms of feasibility in one of the units, the Sponsor has the option of performing their feasibility evaluations at both units.
8. What will happen to aster.cephac’s management team?
The current management team has made the company what it is today, and continues to do an excellent job, therefore there is no reason to change it. The aster.cephac management team will be embedded in the structure of SGS’ Life Science Services.
9. Will there be any address or operational site changes?
There will be no changes to addresses or sites.
10. Will there any be changes in SOP's?
Part of the integration process is to ensure the use of best practices, and our objective is to become one group with one common purpose. In this respect, we will closely analyse the processes and workflows used, so that we can offer our customers the optimal package. We will keep our Sponsors informed of any changes made during the integration progress.
11. Is SGS a 'soft' or 'hard' acquiring company? i.e. do they typically radically change the way the company works?
No, there will be no radical changes. SGS’ strategy is to acquire healthy growth companies and keep all key staff, procedures and services needed to ensure continued relationships with clients. SGS’ philosophy is to combine the best aspects of both companies.
In 2005, SGS worldwide created more than 4,300 jobs.
For more info about aster.cephac, visit www.aster-cephac.com
