Ricerca Biosciences has executed a purchase agreement to acquire the Discovery and Preclinical business of MDS Pharma Services with facilities in Bothell, WA, Lyon, France and Taipei, Taiwan. Ricerca’s headquarters will remain in Concord, OH.

The purchase price, according to an MDSstatement, is $45 million and certain minority equity interests. The $45 million includes a five-year, $25 million note and $20 million in cash that will be adjusted for working capital and other items.

Ricerca chairman and chief executive officer Ian Lennox stated, “The addition of these facilities and personnel complement Ricerca’s existing facility in Concord, OH, and position us as a global, preferred provider of discovery and development services. We have intimate working knowledge of these facilities; all are steeped in decades of experience and expertise.”

The proposed transaction, subject to customary regulatory and closing conditions, is expected to close within the next two months.