BA Research, a full-service contract research organisation (CRO) based in Ahmedabad, India, has acquired US counterpart Hill Top Research Corporation for an undisclosed sum.

Hill Top will be incorporated into BA Research’s parent Cliantha Group, which also includes Xylopia Formulation Lab and BAAP Diagnostics. The US CRO, which has facilities in Cincinnati, Ohio and St. Petersburg, Florida as well as a Canadian presence in Winnipeg, Manitoba, will continue to operate as Hill Top Research in the North American market.

BA Research and Hill Top share a focus on dermatology, particularly safety testing for transdermal patches in the case of the US company. The synergy between the two operations is “extremely compelling”, allowing for the expansion and improvement of existing client services, they said.

The acquired Hill Top assets will also extend BA Research’s interests into personal healthcare, the Indian company pointed out.

“By combining with BA Research, we have significantly expanded our expertise and capabilities in clinical research, dermatology, data management, and laboratory services,” commented John Murta, chief executive officer of Hill Top Research.

The companies are “committed to a smooth integration of services with all current clinical sites in North America and India in full operation going forward”, he noted.

The deal will bring “new investment in our people, equipment and facilities to improve our core competencies and to extend into new areas”, Murta added.

BA Research’s facilities in India include a central pathology laboratory accredited by the College of American Pathologists and Phase I units with a total of 400 beds.

The company conducts Phase I-IV clinical trials in a variety of therapeutic areas and also offers biological sample analysis in support of bioequivalence, bioavailability and other studies.