Private-equity firm Carlyle Group is in talks to acquire contract drug developer Pharmaceutical Product Development Inc., according to a report published Monday. Carlyle has edged out several other private-equity firms and entered into exclusive talks with the Wilmington, N.C. drug maker, according to Bloomberg News, which cited five unnamed persons with knowledge of the discussions. Blackstone Group LP, KKR & Co., and Hellman & Friedman LL were among the other firms that were interested in buying the PPD, according to the report.
