Chiltern Acquires Ockham and the Companies Merge Operations

Chiltern and Ockham, two leading full-service contract research organizations (CROs), today announce that Chiltern has acquired 100% of Ockham and that the companies will merge their operations.

The combined company will be called Chiltern. Ockham’s management team will join the management of the enlarged group, thus ensuring a seamless continuation of high quality services. Chiltern’s CEO Jim Esinhart, PhD will be CEO of the Chiltern Group, with Ockham’s CEO, James V. Baker, becoming Chief Development Officer. Nick Thornton will remain as Chairman.

This complementary transaction significantly strengthens the combined service offerings in three strategic areas:

• Oncology specialization with extensive expertise across all clinical phases of development (Chiltern Oncology);
• Biopharmaceutical services with global reach and scale, including deep therapeutic experience in respiratory, ophthalmology, infectious disease, vaccines and dermatology (Chiltern Biopharmaceutics); and
• Global Functional Service Provider (FSP)/Sourcing provision specializing in tailored resourcing solutions across clinical, regulatory, medical and biometrics (Chiltern Source).

The combined company’s clients will benefit from a fuller range of services across a global network of offices and expertise.

Chiltern CEO Dr. James Esinhart commented: “This merger is a natural progression towards our strategic goal of becoming the premier specialized mid-tier CRO. Throughout this process I have been extremely impressed by the skill and professionalism of Ockham’s employees, the quality services they deliver, and the vision of the leadership team. There is a perfect strategic fit between our companies and I’m excited to work with the entire Ockham team to ensure a seamless continuation in the delivery of high quality services to all of the combined company’s clients.”

Mr. James V. Baker, who will become Chiltern’s Chief Development Officer, echoed this sentiment in saying: “In Ockham’s continuing progression toward building the top niche oncology CRO, our joining with Chiltern has been an easy choice, allowing us to leverage Chiltern’s global reach and highly developed staffing business in Europe, both of which are complementary to Ockham’s deep oncology expertise and source business in the US. We are fortunate to have found the ideal partner with a complete understanding and commitment to the unique needs of our emerging biotech clientele.”