Sterling Pharma Solutions, a global CDMO, acquired UK-based NewChem Technologies, a contract services provider focused on organic chemistry and supplying customers across a range of industries from pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and biotechnology, to veterinary science and chemicals.

The NewChem business adds further scientific resources and expertise to Sterling’s chemistry services, finding ways to synthesize customers’ molecules while helping them to establish the most suitable route to take forward into development and scale up.

Financial details were not disclosed. The deal includes all of NewChem’s assets and employees and founders of NewChem, Bob Tyson and Bernard Golding, will continue in their roles as site head and science director, respectively.

NewChem’s laboratory facilities are located within Newcastle upon Tyne’s Biosphere, which is at the hub of the city’s innovation community. The site will work synergistically with Sterling’s facility in Cary, NC, which operates as an early-phase development center.

“Over the last three years, Sterling has grown significantly, both organically and through a global strategy of acquisitions, and this latest deal marks the next step that will help us achieve our aim of becoming the preferred partner and provider of small molecule services to the pharmaceutical industry,” said Kevin Cook, CEO at Sterling. “The expertise and experience within the well-respected and talented NewChem team will provide the business with additional capacity to solve complex chemistry challenges. NewChem’s connections with academia is closely aligned with Sterling’s Technology and Innovation Program, which sees us work with a number of leading global academic institutions to bring the latest technologies and innovations to our customers.”