Concept Life Sciences Expands Capabilities with Charnwood Discovery Acquisition

• Concept Life Sciences acquires Charnwood Discovery to strengthen UK-based drug discovery capabilities.

Concept Life Sciences (CLS), a UK-based organisation specialising in drug discovery, development, and manufacturing, has announced the acquisition of Loughborough-based Charnwood Discovery. Supported by Limerston Capital, this acquisition aims to reinforce CLS’s position in the global pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, bringing additional depth to its offerings in early-stage drug research and integrated drug discovery services.

The acquisition is expected to enhance CLS’s scientific capabilities across multiple drug development modalities, benefiting from Charnwood Discovery’s experience in delivering complex drug discovery programs. Dr. Ben Cliff, CEO of CLS, noted that Charnwood Discovery’s team and expertise would support CLS in “significantly speeding up the progression of promising drug candidates from development through clinical trials to commercial production—at up to twice the pace of the industry average.”

Charnwood Discovery provides both customised and fully integrated drug discovery services to a global client base. Under CLS, its clients will now gain access to CLS’s expanded capabilities, including translational biology expertise and GMP manufacturing support for clinical trials.

The acquisition comes as the contract research organisation (CRO) sector navigates challenges stemming from the US Biosecure Act, which could limit American companies’ engagement with certain Chinese CROs. According to CLS, the combined entity will be well-positioned to offer an alternative to companies seeking regulatory certainty and robust intellectual property protections in a UK-based provider.

Jane Grewar, Operating Partner at Limerston Capital and Chairman of CLS, expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition: “This integration strengthens our ability to help clients identify and advance the best candidates to clinic faster, further reducing our industry-leading timelines and supporting their mission to deliver impactful therapies to patients.”