Constella Group to Acquire Lineberry Research Associates

DURHAM, N.C., October 19, 2006-Constella Group, a global provider of professional health services, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Lineberry Research Associates (LRA), a full-service, U.S. contract research organization and consulting firm based in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

LRA employs more than 75 people, all of whom will join Constella's pharmaceutical product development business unit once the acquisition is complete, which is expected to occur within the next 30 days.

LRA will begin operating under the Constella Group name in the next few months.