Cyprotex acquires CeeTox

Published: 2-Jan-2014

Broadens toxicological assay and screening capabilities


Cyprotex, a specialist ADME-Tox contract research organisation with operations in the UK and US, has bought the business and assets of CeeTox, a division of North American Science Associates (NAMSA).

CeeTox, based in Kalamazoo, MI, US, specialises in the provision of in vitro toxicological assays and screening data, principally to the cosmetic and personal care industries.

Founded in 2003, CeeTox was acquired in 2005 by NAMSA, a medical research organisation supplying expert consulting, clinical and laboratory services to medical device, IVD and biologics manufacturers. NAMSA retains a licence for applying CeeTox’s in vitro toxicology expertise to medical device testing.

CeeTox had sales of approximately £2.3m in the year ended 30 September 2013 and made an operating loss of approximately £0.9m. The initial consideration for the purchase of £0.63m is funded by internal cash resources, with a further consideration of 5% payable on specified net sales achieved in the next four years to a maximum of £3.1m.

The purchase is made by Apredica, Cyprotex’s US trading subsidiary. Cyprotex initially expects to continue to operate the CeeTox business from its Kalamazoo location before moving the business to its US base in Watertown, MA.

Commenting on the acquisition, Tony Baxter, CEO of Cyprotex, said: 'The acquisition of CeeTox and its world-respected in vitro toxicology assays affords Cyprotex the opportunity to grow revenues significantly. Principally, it enables the company to offer a more complete assay and screening service to the cosmetics and personal care industry, already an expanding customer segment, and will extend the company’s footprint in its established core pharmaceutical and agrochemical industry markets.

'The innovative assays and screens that CeeTox has developed over its 10-year life are complementary to our existing comprehensive platform. In particular, we are excited by the potential for selling the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Programme (EDSP) service to both current Government agency customers and to industrial chemical companies.'

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