Simbec And Orion Merger To Launch New CRO Firm

Simbec Research Limited and Orion Clinical Services Limited announced their merger after which the companies will be known as the Simbec-Orion Group Limited. Both companies said they will continue in their respective fields following post-completion of the merger.

The two companies’ merger will facilitate the establishment of a new, full service international contract research organization (CRO). Simbec-Orion will launch with capabilities in both Early and Late Stage Clinical Development with expertise in oncology, rare, and orphan diseases. The new CRO firm will operate from its headquarters in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales in the UK.

The merger was made possible through the £12.5m million of funds raised from the Welsh Arthurian Life Sciences Fund and HSBC Bank plc's West and Wales Corporate team, which supplied debt finance in the transaction. Edwina Hart MBE AM, Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, said, “The Welsh Government has been delighted with the growth of Simbec over the past year since Arthurian made the initial investment from our Wales Life Sciences Fund. This merger with ORION is particularly exciting and creates a Group with approximately 250 employees with a true international reach from its headquarters in Wales. We are proud to be backing such an important transaction.”

Once the merger is completed, the Board of Directors will be joined by Ronald Openshaw as Chief Executive Officer and by Dr Fabrice Chartier as its new Chief Operating Officer. Dr Alan Irvine, CEO ORION Clinical Services, has agreed to assume the role of Group Chief Medical Officer for the new company.

Ronald Openshaw, who will soon be CEO of Simbec-Orion, said, “It is a privilege to join the Group as its new CEO. These two companies have traditions to be proud of. I look forward to driving the growth of the business as we invest in the Group, and to our expansion through further acquisitions. Our goal is to increase our leadership position as a trusted member of a client's team to meet their needs as they create new medicines to improve human health.”