Nitto Denko Avecia Inc. (Avecia), a leader in therapeutic nucleic acid manufacturing and development services, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Irvine Pharmaceutical Services (Irvine) and Avrio Biopharmaceuticals (Avrio), both located in Irvine, California. Irvine is a leading analytical development services provider and Avrio is a premier cGMP parenteral contract manufacturing organization. Avecia will consolidate both businesses into the newly established company, Nitto Avecia Pharma Services.