Fortrea acquires Worldwide Clinical Trials unit for $45 million

• Fortrea agreed to acquire Worldwide Clinical Trials’ Early Phase Services division for approximately $45 million in cash.
• The deal adds clinical research facilities in Texas, including laboratories and a 200-bed clinical pharmacology unit.
• Fortrea stated the acquisition will expand its early-phase research capabilities from first-in-human studies through proof-of-concept trials.

Fortrea (NASDAQ:FTRE) agreed on September 2, 2026 to acquire Worldwide Clinical Trials’ Early Phase Services division in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $45 million.

The acquisition adds three Texas facilities, including a 60,000-square-foot GLP bioanalytical laboratory in Austin, a 200-bed GCP-compliant clinical pharmacology unit in San Antonio, and a biospecimen storage facility in Pflugerville.

Fortrea will integrate Early Phase Services into its Clinical Pharmacology Services unit after closing, subject to regulatory and license approvals and final service agreements, while the acquired assets add large and small molecule bioanalytical capabilities to its North American research network.

Fortrea stated that the transaction is expected to support faster early-phase studies from first-in-human trials through proof-of-concept studies.

Fortrea provides clinical research services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including clinical trial management, pharmacology services, and other research support activities.

Worldwide Clinical Trials stated that it plans to focus investment on its late-stage business areas, including oncology, neuroscience, internal medicine, and rare disease, while both companies plan to maintain continuity for employees, customers, and ongoing programs through alliance agreements.