WuXi PharmaTech, a provider of pharmaceutical R&D outsourcing services based in China, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire U.S.-based AppTec Laboratory Services, Inc. in a transaction totaling approximately $151 million, which includes about $11.7 million of AppTec debt.

The acquisition provides WuXi PharmaTech with biologics capabilities and expertise, and a significant U.S. operation, expanding its customer base and market size. The combined business operations of the two companies in both the U.S. and China will allow WuXi PharmaTech to provide a full service suite of outsourced chemistry and biology services to global pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device clients.

AppTec is a service provider for the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries, offering testing, contract research and development, and biologics cGMP manufacturing services. AppTec has state-of-the-art FDA-registered facilities located in Philadelphia, St. Paul and Atlanta.

Dr. Ge Li, chairman and chief executive officer of WuXi PharmaTech, commented, “We are very excited to announce the combination of WuXi PharmaTech and AppTec Laboratory Services, an important milestone in realizing our vision of becoming the global R&D outsourcing leader. WuXi’s chemistry services will be complemented by AppTec’s biologics testing and manufacturing capabilities to create a fully integrated service platform, from which we will be able to provide more value-added services to our customers. With an expanded geographic footprint, and a broader and deeper scope of services, we are well positioned to drive growth and continue to increase shareholder value.”

Dr. Bonita L. Baskin, chief executive officer of AppTec, said, “Combining these two companies creates a unique single source platform that has the ability to transform the outsourced R&D model globally. I, along with the AppTec team, share with Dr. Li our excitement over the prospects of this combination.”

The transaction has been approved by both companies and is expected to close 1Q2008.