Avantor is set to acquire Masterflex, a manufacturer of peristaltic pumps and aseptic single-use fluid transfer tech used in upstream, downstream and fill-finish services. The deal, announced yesterday, “strengthens Avantor’s offering across all bioproduction platforms including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), cell and gene therapy and mRNA, and supports both therapy and vaccine manufacturing including COVID-19,” the firm said in a statement. The $2.9 billion transaction ($2.7 billion after tax benefits) will add Vernon Hills, Illinois-headquartered tech firm Masterflex to the biopharma…