SGS announces today the acquisition of aster.cephac headquartered in Paris, France, a full service provider of early clinical pharmacology trials (Phase I/IIa trials) and bioanalytical drug development services. aster.cephac serves the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries globally.
Aster.cephac provides comprehensive early clinical development services, including a differentiating knowledge and experience in protocol design, the execution of complex and time critical Phase I studies, complemented by data management and reporting support functions. Over the past few years aster.cephac has also developed a strong expertise in QT prolongation and safety pharmacology studies.
Aster.cephac’s clinical unit is located in Paris. With its 80-bed, newly refurbished state-of-the-art clinic, it is one of the largest intensive care facilities in the world for “first into man” studies enjoying access to one of the largest volunteer base in Europe.
Aster.cephac’s bioanalytical research center located in Poitiers is the largest independent bioanalytical unit in Europe and a leader in mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) services and immunoanalysis with over 400 methods available to date for client use.
Founded in 1975, aster.cephac generates annual revenues in excess of €35 million and counts approximately 330 employees excluding its cosmetology / dermatology testing services which have not been acquired by SGS but which will be reorganized as an independent specialty company.
With this acquisition, SGS takes an important step toward its recently announced strategic growth plan by establishing a presence for clinical research services in one of Europe’s leading pharmaceutical markets and becomes the European leader in early stage clinical research services.
ABOUT SGS
The SGS Group is the global leader and innovator in inspection, verification, testing and certification services. Founded in 1878, SGS is recognized as the global benchmark in quality and integrity. With more than 64,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,250 offices and laboratories around the world.
