Global CRO, Caidya, has announced a strategic combination with UK-based CRO, Simbec-Orion, designed to close the divide between early scientific insight and global clinical execution.
The combination of Caidya and Simbec-Orion brings together complementary strengths to create a more complete development partner for innovative biopharma companies.
“This strategic combination brings together complementary strengths to create a more complete development partner for innovators,” said Barbara Lopez Kunz, CEO of Caidya. “By combining Simbec-Orion’s European presence and early-phase expertise with Caidya’s global platform, we can support sponsors from first-in-human through registration while helping them thrive where development becomes most difficult: at the intersection of scientific innovation, operational complexity, and global clinical execution.”
Simbec-Orion brings early-phase clinical pharmacology capabilities alongside therapeutic expertise for later stage complex oncology and rare disease trials, helping sponsors shape critical decisions early in the development lifecycle.
Together, the organisations strengthen their ability to support complex, cross-border programmes while providing a more connected path from first-in-human studies, both in healthy volunteers and patients, through registration. With established operations across Europe, the Americas, APAC, and China, the combined organisation provides meaningful expertise and execution capabilities globally.
“Our combination creates a CRO that combines the intimacy of a specialist partner with the reach of a global development organisation to meet the needs of modern drug development,” said Fabrice Chartier, CEO of Simbec-Orion. “Together, we will enhance our combined geographic footprint, benefiting Simbec-Orion with enhanced access to the US and Asian markets, and Caidya with greater presence in Europe and in Phase I clinical pharmacology.”
CBPE acquired a majority stake in Simbec-Orion in 2019.
“We are confident that joining forces with Caidya represents the ideal next chapter for the business, its people, and its clients.” said Anand Jain, partner at CBPE and chair of Simbec-Orion. “By combining aligned cultures with a more connected development model, sponsors gain a continuous path from First-in-Human through to registration without changing the experienced partner they trust.”
The combined organisation will operate under the leadership of Lopez Kunz as CEO, with Chartier continuing to lead Simbec-Orion’s operations as part of the combined company.
Edgemont acted as exclusive financial advisor to Caidya, and Sidley Austin served as legal counsel. Stifel acted as financial advisor and Eversheds Sutherland served as legal counsel and to Simbec-Orion and CBPE. KPMG provided financial and tax advice to CBPE.
The CBPE deal team was led by Jain, Adam Richardson and Rachel Milton.
In 2025, Rubicon invested US$165m in Caidya, joining an existing set of investors, which include global venture capital, private equity, and healthcare investors.
Press release: CBPE announces strategic combination of Simbec-Orion with Caidya
