Chiltern, a global contract research organization with offices in Wilmington, recently announced it acquired Integrated Development Co. Ltd., expanding the company’s reach in Asia.

Integrated Development Associates (IDA), is a contract research organization specializing in integrating Japan and Asia into global drug development, according to a release from Chiltern. IDA was established in Tokyo, Japan in March 2004.

“The acquisition of IDA is driven by our commitment to establish a substantial presence in all major global markets and support our clients with clinical development capabilities worldwide,” Jim Esinhart, Chiltern CEO, said in the release.

IDA has staff based in Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia. The company has expertise in establishing regulatory and development pathways for Japan and implementing Pan Asian clinical trials to achieve both Japanese and global regulatory objectives.

According to the release, IDA’s broad range of therapeutic areas and its local knowledge and relationships, will allow Chiltern to offer optimal approaches for integrating Japan and Asia into global drug development. Chiltern’s global connections will also open opportunities for Japanese companies to enter a larger market.

IDA will enable Chiltern to grow in the APAC region as well as open the door to more opportunities globally. Officials with Chiltern said its clients will now have more options for conducting clinical research in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Japan and Southeast Asia are among the world’s largest and fastest-growing pharmaceutical markets. IDA will enable us to grow in the APAC region through well-established relationships and local expertise and knowledge,” Esinhart said.

Chiltern has more than 4,300 members on its team in 47 countries,according to the release. The company moved Wilmington-based offices to a larger location in the Barclay Center at 3147 S. 17th St. last summer.  

Chiltern has more than 600 staff members working in offices in Wilmington, Cary, and regionally in North Carolina, according to officials. Chiltern provides clinical services and solutions in a variety of therapeutic areas with engagement models for biopharmaceutical and medical device industries.

IDA will do business as a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiltern and be renamed IDA, a Chiltern Company, according to officials. As a part of the agreement, IDA founder and CEO John Winebarger, with more than 30 years of experience working in Japan, will join Chiltern’s leadership team and continue to lead IDA.