U.K.-based Cormica, backed by mid-market private equity Limerston Capital, announced on January 28 that it is furthering its expansion strategy with the acquisition of U.S.-based Focus Laboratories. This marks Cormica’s second acquisition in the United States.
Focus Laboratories specializes in microbiological testing, including rapid microbiology and consulting for the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device sectors. Focus Laboratories, originally founded in 1996, was acquired in 2016 by Tony Grilli.
Cormica (formerly known as WMP Group) is a global contract research organization, providing comprehensive testing services for medical device, combination device and pharmaceutical manufacturers and innovators. Limerston Capital acquired Wickham Microbiology Ltd in September 2021 and Medical Engineering Technologies in May 2022, forming Cormica Group as the collective Group operates as today.
This transaction follows Cormica’s acquisition of Zwisler Laboratorium and its entry into the German market, announced earlier in January 2025. In January 2024, Cormica entered the United States market with its acquisition of Cherry Hill, New Jersey-based TPM Laboratories.
Tony Grilli will remain in his leadership role at Focus Laboratories. The acquisition will enable Focus Laboratories to leverage Cormica’s capabilities and resources. Focus Laboratories will benefit from Cormica’s chemistry facility, TPM Laboratories, enabling it to offer clients a more comprehensive portfolio of tests. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
According to data captured in the LevinPro HC database, this acquisition represents the second contract research organization (CRO) deal of 2025. There were 31 CRO transactions announced during 2024, 44 announced during 2023 and 41 announced during 2022.
