Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS) and Harlan Laboratories will rebrand following the integration of the companies management structure and combined service offerings. The combined company will consist of two business units: Contract Research Services (CRS) and Research Models and Services (RMS). The formal rebrand will be completed later this year.
 
The internal integration work, both strategic and operational, has already been completed and the two companies will be formally merged under one brand in the coming months.
 
Two core business units for RMS and CRS have been established from existing capabilities across Harlan and HLS, as well as subsidiaries of both companies. The RMS business unit provides high-quality research models, lab animal diets and bedding, and support services from 30 sites worldwide. The CRS business unit offers a comprehensive range of drug development and environmental sciences services, including safety assessment, analytical, metabolism, CMC, and regulatory consultancy from nine contract research facilities in Europe, the U.S. and the Middle East.
 
Brian Cass, chief executive officer, said, “The decision to rebrand the two companies as one entity is the natural progression of a sustained integration process that was put in place last year. It is a symbol of the fact that as one integrated company we are now able to further diversify the range of products and services we can provide to the market, further supporting existing relationships whilst growing our business globally with new customers. It’s a hugely exciting time for our company, with our customer-led focus and flexibility in approach, our goal is to establish our new company as the number one development partner for customer service and scientific expertise.”
 
The combined company has 3,500 staff and will be a leading provider of research services to the crop protection and chemical industries, research models and services, and preclinical pharmaceutical development.