US-based toxicology specialist Harlan Contract Research Services (CRS) has formed a strategic partnership for early drug-development services with Bertin Pharma, a French provider of global R&D-outsourcing services and bioreagent tools.

Harlan CRS is a division of Harlan Laboratories, the US-based provider of contract-research services and research models.

The CRS arm provides general and specialty toxicology services to the global chemical, agrochemical and pharmaceutical industries from laboratory locations in Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.

Through the partnership, Harlan and Bertin will broaden their respective offerings in drug discovery and translational medicine, including expanded profiling and molecule testing.

Immunological expertise

Harlan CRS will draw in particular on Bertin Pharma’s resources in immunology and biomarkers.

Bertin Pharma’s expertise in the immunological sector is “impressive and well-known in the industry”, noted Manuela Leone, president of Harlan CRS.

For the French company, the partnership will boost its international visibility while enabling Bertin to expand its services by integrating project-management capabilities and expertise, pointed out managing director Xavier Morge.

“PharmImmune, our joint offer with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, is an example of an innovation that we will better utilise through our agreement with Harlan CRS,” added Pascal Clayette, Bertin Pharma’s head of immuno-pharmacology.