Ampersand Capital Partners has completed the acquisition of Pacific Biomarkers and merged it with existing portfolio company Neomed-Labs. This merger brings together two bioanalytical contract research organizations (CROs) with unrivaled credentials in immunology and particular expertise in assay development, custom biomarker validation, and high-throughput clinical sample testing. 
 
Based in Seattle and founded in 1989, Pacific Biomarkers provides specialty biomarker development and central laboratory testing services for the pharmaceutical and biotech markets. The company is a full-service bioanalytical laboratory, capable of supporting pharma sponsors with efficacy and drug safety related testing from preclinical through Phase IV clinical studies.
 
“The merger of Neomed-Labs and Pacific Biomarkers creates an expanded business with a broad set of capabilities, allowing the combined entity to better serve its customers,” said Benoit Bouche, president and chief executive officer, Neomed-Labs. “We are excited to bring two world-class laboratories together and build a center of excellence for clinical immunology and specialty biomarker testing services.”
 
Mr. Bouche will serve as chief executive of the combined entity.
 
Amar Sethi, current president and CSO of Pacific Biomarkers who will serve as president and chief medical officer of the combined business, said, “I am very pleased with the closing of this strategic transaction. Pacific Biomarkers has been providing industry-leading testing services to customers for nearly 30 years and this merger positions us to further accelerate our growth as part of a larger business with more resources. I am highly confident that this combined business will be well positioned to serve a global base of customers.”
 
“Ampersand’s goal with our original investment in Neomed-Labs earlier this year was to build a world class leader in clinical immunology lab services, and this merger furthers that goal,” said Eric Lev, partner at Ampersand. “Ampersand looks forward to working with the management team in the next phase of growth for the combined company to provide industry-leading clinical laboratory testing services for the pharma, IVD, and biotech markets.”