INC Research, Inc, a therapeutically focused contract research organization (CRO) with a process for delivering reliable results, has completed the acquisition of the phase II-IV operations (Global Clinical Development) of MDS Pharma Services, a business unit of MDS Inc.

As a result of the acquisition, INC Research has nearly 2,000 employees with operations in 40 countries. Committed to its therapeutic focus, INC Research has added respiratory, cardiovascular and endocrinology to its list of therapeutic specialties, which include oncology, CNS and infectious diseases. INC Research's strong presence in North America, Western, Central and Eastern Europe, and India will be greatly enhanced by MDS GCD's complementary presence in Western Europe and in the emerging markets of South America, the Asia/Pacific Rim, and Africa.

"Today marks a significant milestone in our company's history to reach our goal of providing deep therapeutic foresight across a wide range of areas and in all corners of the globe," said James Ogle, CEO of INC Research. "We have already received a tremendous response from our customers and the industry about the power of our combined capabilities. I am very pleased to welcome the talented and experienced people of GCD as new members of the INC Research team. With our expanded set of services, therapeutic capabilities and global resources, we are undeniably a top tier CRO for clinical research."

INC Research has already begun executing the integration of the two companies' customers, employees and services, as well as operationalizing its customer-focused Trusted Process. Led by an internal transition management team, the company is committed to quickly completing the integration, so the company's primary focus remains on exceeding the expectations of its customers.

Wachovia Securities, a Wells Fargo Company, served as financial advisor to INC Research and arranged the debt financing for this transaction.

INC Research is a therapeutically focused contract research organization with a high performance reputation for conducting global clinical development programs of the highest integrity.