Xendo Drug Development has been acquired by QPS Holding, LLC

Dutch-based Xendo Holding B.V. has successfully sold its subsidiary Xendo Drug Development B.V. to QPS Holding, LLC.

Xendo’s subsidiary Xendo Drug Development (XDD) is a full-service Contract Research Organization (CRO), in which bioanalysis, drug metabolism, clinical research, data management, biometrics and drug development consultancy services for Phase I to Phase IV clinical trials are joined. The services of XDD are focused on improving the quality and safety of drugs, and speeding up their time-to-market.

Founded in 1995, QPS has bioanalysis and DMPK facilities at its Newark, Delaware headquarters, a laboratory in Taipei, Taiwan, and a Phase 1 facility in Springfield, Missouri. QPS has been providing quality services in regulated and non-regulated bioanalysis (LC/MS/MS, immunoanalytical, and hybridization-ELISA), DMPK, protein biomarkers, pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics markers, and Phase 1 studies to its clients worldwide.

Since its inception in 1990, Xendo has developed itself into one of the leading Western European service providers to the global life sciences, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. The company’s service portfolio includes contract research, technical consulting, validation and compliance, regulatory affairs, contract manufacturing and bioprocess development.

The pharmaceutical industry has recently experienced a new wave of consolidation. The big pharma companies prefer to cooperate with larger CROs that have the ability to manage large scale trials on a global basis. This has led to a consolidation trend within the CRO market as well. Xendo believed that its CRO business should participate in this consolidation trend.

Xendo found in QPS the right strategic partner. QPS provides pre-clinical and clinical research services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients worldwide in the areas of bioanalysis, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, translational medicine research, early-phase clinical research and clinical research services. The company has facilities in the United States and Taiwan. “Joining the QPS organization enables XDD to realize its ambitions for global growth. In terms of activities, size and location, QPS and XDD are a perfect fit. Our combined operations in Asia, Europe and the US position us ideally to expand our portfolios in the increasingly consolidated pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector, our primary market," said Koos Koops, CEO of Xendo.

Oaklins' team in the Netherlands advised Xendo Holding B.V. in this transaction, working together with other Oaklins' members firms to identify more than 30 potential buyers from around the world. After an intensively managed international sale process, the Oaklins' Dutch team was able to negotiate a successful deal for the shareholders of XDD.