The Dudley, Northumberland, UK-based global contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) Sterling Pharma Solutions said that its business has grown significantly, both organically and through a global strategy of acquisitions, and the integration of NewChem marks the next step that will help achieve the aim of becoming the preferred partner and provider of small molecule services to the pharmaceutical industry.

Kevin Cook, CEO at Sterling, said. “The expertise and experience within the well-respected and talented NewChem team will provide the business with additional capacity to solve complex chemistry challenges. NewChem’s connections with academia is closely aligned with Sterling’s technology and innovation program, which sees us work with a number of leading global academic institutions to bring the latest technologies and innovations to our customers.”

Founded in 2002, as a spin-out from Newcastle University School of Chemistry, the NewChem business adds further scientific resource and expertise to Sterling’s ability to tackle complex process chemistry challenges, finding ways to synthesise customers’ molecules while helping them to establish the most suitable route to take forward into development and scale up.

Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed, but the deal includes all of NewChem’s assets and employees. Founders of NewChem, Bob Tyson and Bernard Golding, will continue in their roles as Site Head and Science Director, respectively.

NewChem’s laboratory facilities are located within Newcastle upon Tyne’s Biosphere, which is at the hub of the city’s innovation community, consisting of a range of industry leaders, businesses, and top academic researchers. The site will work synergistically with Sterling’s facility in Cary, North Carolina, USA, which operates as an early-phase development center.