Delphic acquires iQur's diagnostics division

Acquisition

Delphic, a pharmacology and pharmacogenetics spin-out from the University of Liverpool, UK, which provides biomarkers and diagnostic services for HIV and hepatitis, has acquired the diagnostics division of iQur, a biotech company specialising in chronic liver disease, spun out from the University of Southampton, UK. The acquisition will increase Delphic’s provision of personalised medicine in clinical therapy by targeting the ever growing infectious disease screening market.

Tim Leaver, of Delphic, said: “This is an important acquisition for Delphic. We have consolidated our expertise in infectious diseases and proven our ability to identify and successfully integrate complementary businesses into the group.

Following its acquisition of the University of Liverpool’s therapeutic drug monitoring service in 2005, and its purchase from iQur, Delphic can now offer individualised drug treatment for HIV and hepatitis patients. Leaver added: “Personalised medicine is the future of drug therapy with technology transfer from clinical and academic settings having a pivotal role. We are already providing biomarkers and companion diagnostics for infectious diseases and we intend to apply these skills to meet patient needs in other therapy areas.” iQur, meanwhile, will focus on its vaccines programme, developing therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines for hepatitis, cancer and various infectious diseases. It will also continue to supply its ELF liver fibrosis test, in partnership with Siemens.

Investors in Delphic include MMC Ventures, The Capital Fund and Ulive Enterprises (the University of Liverpool’s IP commercialisation company). Jonathan Coker, of MMC, commented: “We are delighted by this acquisition. Delphic says it is now well placed to exploit its leading position within the infectious diseases market and that this addition to its growing portfolio of services will enhance its ability to secure both patient care and clinical trial contracts.”

Correction: an earlier version of this piece suggested incorrectly that Delphic had acquired iQur itself, and not its diagnostics business. Our apologies.