UK-based Concept Life Sciences, an integrated drug discovery, development and analytical services company, has acquired Scottish contract research organization (CRO) Aquila BioMedical for an undisclosed sum.

Aquila, which was spun out of The University of Edinburgh in 2011, has expertise in developing therapeutics for oncology, biomarker discovery and target expression, with services covering a wide range of in vitro and in vivo proof-of-concept studies.

Concept described the acquisition as “a pivotal addition” to its own offering for drug discovery and development. “The company’s offering in translational biology adds significant value to our current discovery services, and broadens the wider group’s therapy offering,” said Concept’s executive chairman, Michael Fort.

Co-founder of Aquila BioMedical, Stephen Anderton, added that Concept’s size, business development network and complementary scientific capacity would significantly accelerate the CRO’s growth.

In September, Concept announced it had expanded into new laboratory space at Alderley Park in Cheshire, UK, increasing its scientific capacity by more than 30% and adding 75 full-time employees. Fort said the “significant” investment would enable Concept to put in place the expertise to support its projected growth in 2018 and beyond.