United Drug has agreed a deal to buy the UK and US clinical services businesses Bilcare Global Clinical Supplies for a total of $61m.
The deal is expected to be completed by the end of this month, subject to the fulfilment of closing conditions.
The acquired business is owned by Bilcare Limited and has facilities in Pennsylvania in the US and at Crickhowell in Wales.
It employs 195 people and gross assets of the business are $16m, while it reported profits of $4.6m in its last financial year.
United Drug said the business is complementary to its existing commercial packaging business and will form part of its packaging and speciality division.
''The Bilcare acquisition is another very important step in the development of United Drug as we focus on margin expanding, international opportunities,'' commented the company's chief executive Liam Fitzgerald.
''This business fits well alongside our existing packaging businesses in the US and Europe and will position us as a leading provider of services in the growing clinical trials materials market,'' he added.
