Singapore: Clinical Network Services (CNS), an Australia-based CRO offering integrated development services in the planning, implementation and delivery of phase I and II trials, has acquired the business assets of its erstwhile New Zealand partner Beltas, a CRO based in Auckland.

The acquisition of Beltas' business officially completed at the end of 2012 with Beltas contracts and all clinical staff being transferred to CNS. Beltas will continue to provide GCP training in New Zealand.

Mr Russell Neal, managing director, CNS, said, "2012 has been a tremendous year for CNS and has seen us grow significantly over the last 12 months, expand our regional CRA base so we can better service local sites in Perth and Melbourne as well as further bed down our BioDesk services. This acquisition continues our goal of widening our capabilities across Australia and New Zealand and by bringing together these two highly skilled clinical teams with years of collective experience, we are able to offer our clients a truly regional solution.

At the same time, CNS announced that its BioDesk service launched a year ago at the Genesis conference in London, had been a huge success and already gaining a very positive international reputation. BioDesk is an intelligent product development planning and regulatory affairs service designed for biotech companies planning wishing to enter the clinic faster by virtue of creating and managing a pre-clinical program that encompasses a globalized regulatory perspective whilst leveraging unique regional advantages.

Mr Mark Reid, associate director, BioDesk & Regulatory Affairs, added: "2012 has been a remarkable year with BioDesk performing well beyond our expectations. There is an obvious need for biotechnology companies to obtain expert support in making the transition from 'bench' to the clinic and BioDesk aims to provide this capability - particularly for companies looking to trial their products in Australia or New Zealand."