Aptuit, LLC has acquired Exquiron Biotech AG, a specialist Contract Research Organization dedicated to early phase drug discovery services.
 
Located near Basel, Switzerland, Exquiron offers assay development for hit finding and profiling, high throughput screening, selectivity testing and hit characterization. The company also has an extensive library collection of lead like compounds, as well as scientific knowledge in compound selection and Structure Activity Relationship (SAR) expansion across a range of targets in multiple therapeutic areas.  
 
Dr. Jonathan Goldman, chief executive officer of Aptuit said, “The acquisition of Exquiron broadens our scientific excellence in advanced integrated discovery by incorporating capabilities in early discovery. In particular, we are thrilled to enhance our hit identification, validation, and expansion services. We can now offer uninterrupted and high quality delivery of a research program from target to high quality candidate nomination. We expect our customers to benefit from improved probability of candidate nomination, with reductions in time and cost.”
 
Dr. Stephan Fasler, chief executive officer and founder of Exquiron added, “We are excited to join Aptuit, a highly respected leader in the discovery and development CRO sector. Our customers can now combine our expertise in assay development and high throughput screening with the ability to translate seamlessly to candidate nomination and IND filing. Exquiron and Aptuit share a culture and commitment to scientific excellence, making this a very good fit.”