Delphic, a provider of specialist diagnostics for HIV and hepatitis, has acquired the diagnostics business of iQur, a biotechnology company specialising in chronic liver disease. The terms of the transaction remain undisclosed.

Delphic, a provider of specialist diagnostics for HIV and hepatitis, has acquired the diagnostics business of iQur, a biotechnology company specialising in chronic liver disease. The terms of the transaction remain undisclosed.

The acquisition of the University of Southampton spin-out is the latest step in Delphic’s acquisition strategy, which aims to offer improved services in infectious diseases to the clinical and clinical trials markets, and to access the growing market for blood-borne virus screening.

IQur announced that it has disposed of its diagnostics business to focus on vaccines research.

Tim Leaver, CEO of Delphic, said: “This is an important acquisition for Delphic. We have consolidated our expertise in infectious diseases and proven our ability to identify and successfully integrate complementary businesses into the group.”

Professor William Rosenberg, CEO and CSO of IQur, said: “The divestment of our diagnostics business allows us to concentrate on our promising vaccines research programme. As a company similarly committed to personalised therapies, to accessibility and to high levels of service, we anticipate a seamless transition of our diagnostics business into Delphic.”

Delphic successfully managed its own spin-out from the University of Liverpool in 2005 by acquiring its therapeutic drug monitoring service, a product used to individualise drug therapy for people with HIV and hepatitis.

Delphic’s investors include The Capital Fund, Ulive Enterprises (the University of Liverpool’s IP commercialisation company) and MMC Ventures.