WuXi PharmaTech Acquires XenoBiotic, Expands Operations In The U.S.

Shanghai-based WuXi Pharma Tech announced its U.S. expansion with the acquisition of XenoBiotic, a contract research organization (CRO) with operations in both China and New Jersey. WuXi hopes that the deal will augment its existing bio-analytical and drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) services, expand business in North America, and provide options for further expansion.

With XenoBiotic, WuXi gains 150 employees and 81,000 square feet of research facility space in both Nanjing and Plainsboro. Xenobiotic is registered with both the FDA and the USDA and is licensed to work with radioisotopes and Schedule 1-5 controlled substances. The company is also accredited with the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care.

Last year, Xenobiotic was awarded a five-year R&D contract from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Institute of Health (NIH), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Under the terms of this contract, Xenobiotic provides resources for NIDA’s medications development program, which researches compounds with indications for addiction treatment.

In addition, Xenobiotic offers bioanalysis and DMPK services for ongoing NIDA studies of compounds active in new and/or abused drugs.

Jinn Wu, President of XenoBiotic, expects existing business to continue as usual. Wu said, “We will continue to provide our services to our current clients while also offering expanded services to WuXi’s clients.”

As part of the acquisition deal, Jinn Wu will be appointed VP and CSO of WuXi’s Laboratory Testing Division.

MarketWatch reports that WuXi also recently announced William Keller would be joining the company’s Board of Directors. Keller’s previous experience includes general manager of Roche China, and he recently founded Keller Pharma Consultancy, also based in China.

"I am delighted to join the board of WuXi PharmaTech, the leading China-based pharmaceutical R&D services company," said Mr. Keller. "I look forward to working with my fellow directors to guide WuXi's continuing growth."