Deal will maximise synergies and sharpen focus on growth areas

Leading integrated drug discovery, development and manufacturing organisation, Concept Life Sciences has carved out its Bradford analytical chemistry business to Cormica the specialists in testing services for medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Both Concept Life Sciences and Cormica are part of private equity house, Limerston Capital LLP and sit as part of its healthcare portfolio. The close relationship between the businesses has allowed the deal to execute seamlessly and recognises the synergies between Bradford’s research and analytical expertise, particularly in analytical chemistry and materials characterisations and Cormica’s existing capabilities in chemical analysis and physical testing of medical devices and combination products.

The deal will include the transfer of all employees based at the Bradford site to Cormica. They will remain located at the Bradford office and business will continue as normal.

Cormica has recently undergone a significant brand exercise. The new identity and name aligns with the business’s end-to-end focus and plans to expand its footprint in the UK, US and Europe, bringing forward life-saving products more quickly, safely, and to more markets around the world. Focused on expansion through acquisition as well as organic growth, the Bradford business will further enhance Cormica’s service offering.

The divestment of the Bradford business represents a strategic move for Concept Life Sciences, allowing the company to sharpen its focus on its core service offerings, spanning from drug discovery to early-stage development pathways. Established in 2017 through the acquisition of various enterprises, Concept Life Sciences is renowned for its exceptional expertise in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and agrochemical sectors. Its expertise extends across process research and development, manufacturing, and the team offers invaluable insights into rapidly evolving specialty therapeutic areas while fostering innovation. Concept Life Sciences was acquired by Limerston Capital earlier this year.

Mark Hammond, CEO of Cormica, said: “Cormica has an ambitious growth strategy, trained on full service regulated testing across, physical, chemical and microbiology. We know the Bradford business and its team well and the opportunity to strengthen our expertise in analytical chemistry will significantly strengthen our market position and provide an enhanced service to our customers.

“The deal made sense on a variety of levels, and, thanks to our existing relationship, was relatively simple to facilitate. We are now looking forward to integrating the team into Cormica and to identifying the immediate opportunities this will bring.”

Ben Cliff, CEO of Concept Life Sciences, added: “It has been a busy year for the business, and we have had the much-needed chance to review our operations and our longer-term strategy which will help us to realise the company’s full potential.

“Bradford has been an important part of our story so far however its offer aligns much more closely with Cormica which has a shared customer base and audiences. This deal will allow us to concentrate on our core service lines, working with our highly skilled team to drive our work in key markets.”

About Concept Life Sciences

Concept Life Sciences is a leading global contract research organisation primarily serving the pharmaceutical and life sciences research and development market.  With an excellent track record in project execution, delivering tangible value for customers’ IP generation, and stringent focus on quality and operates from four state of the art facilities.

About Cormica

Cormica is a leading provider of physical, chemical and microbiological testing for medical devices and pharmaceutical products, drawing on the expertise and heritage of its world renowned laboratories. With a commitment to quality, reliability, and customer service, we help our clients launch and release their life-saving products quicker, safer, and to more markets around the world.