Cytocom, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel immune modulating therapies, has acquired ImQuest Life Sciences, Inc., a research and development company focused on cancer, inflammation and infectious disease treatments, including its subsidiaries in an all-stock transaction.

ImQuest Pharmaceuticals, the drug development arm of ImQuest Life Sciences, will be merged into Cytocom's existing drug development operations. ImQuest BioSciences, a contract research organization (CRO), will continue to operate as a separate wholly-owned, revenue-generating subsidiary of Cytocom. Financial details were not disclosed.

ImQuest Life Sciences provides services and tools to drug makers through its ImQuest BioSciences subsidiary to evaluate vaccines, biologics and pharmaceuticals in preclinical development against infectious diseases, cancer and inflammatory diseases. The company also has a drug development pipeline, built through strategic alliances and exclusive licensing deals, focused on treatments for cancer, HIV, hepatitis B and C, influenza, and drug-resistant microorganisms.

ImQuest BioSciences will maintain its existing management team under the leadership of Robert W. Buckheit, Jr., PhD, President and Chief Scientific Officer, and continue to provide services to drug makers and researchers. Dr. Buckheit will also serve as Chief Technical Officer of Cytocom.