Author Archives: BPI Staff

Liminal divesting Prometic Bioseparations to KKR in $100m deal

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Investment firm KKR is set to acquire Prometic Bioseparations, the chromatography and bioprocessing business of Liminal BioSciences. Global biotech firm Liminal BioSciences, which changed its name in September from Prometic Life Sciences, has announced the sale of Prometic Bioseparations (PBL) to KKR. The investment firm will pay £45 million ($58 million), with up to £32 million ($42 million) more upon closing of the deal. PBL offers chromatography columns and services for the biomanufacturing industry. Its Evolve Process column range offers…

November 22, 2019

Mesa Labs picks up Gyros in $180m bio QC deal

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Swedish immunoassay and peptide synthesis firm Gyros Protein Technologies has been acquired by Mesa Laboratories in a deal worth $180 million (€163 million). Colorado-based quality control instruments and consumables firm Mesa Laboratories says it is increasing its presence in the discovery, development and manufacturing of biotherapeutics through the acquisition, adding Gyros’ immunoassay platform. “We completed a business combination (the “GPT Acquisition”) whereby we acquired the common stock of Gyros Protein Technologies Holding AB (“GPT”), a company whose business provides Immunoassay…

November 11, 2019

Aspen alert! Novartis buys assets for $330m in Japan boost

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Novartis division Sandoz has acquired the Japanese business of Aspen Global Incorporated (AGI), bolstering its biosimilar and generics presence in the region. South African pharma firm Aspen Holdings opened the Japanese subsidiary Aspen Japan K.K. in May 2015, with an aim bring its oncology, immunosuppressant, anti-inflammatory, hypertension, and anticoagulant products to the market. Today, Sandoz, the generics and biosimilar division of Swiss Biopharma firm Novartis, has announced it will pay an initial €300 million ($330 million) to buy shares in…

November 11, 2019

Thermo to add culture media production capacity at Scotland site by 2021

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Thermo Fisher Scientific will spend $24 million (€22 million) to up culture media capacity at its Inchinnan, Scotland facility. The firm said it will add large-volume liquid manufacturing capacity for cell culture media by 2021. Cory Stevenson, president of Thermo Fisher’s bioproduction business, said increased biopharmaceutical industry demand prompted the investment. “More and more customers are outsourcing their liquid manufacturing to ensure the highest quality while delivering efficiency.†“This investment will expand capabilities and expertise at our existing cell culture…

November 8, 2019

Cognate buys Cobra to boost gene therapy CDMO capabilities

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Cell therapy CDMO Cognate Bioservices will add plasmid DNA and viral vector capabilities through the acquisition of Swedish manufacturer Cobra Biologics. Memphis, Tennessee-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Cognate has entered into an agreement to acquire Cobra for an undisclosed fee, led by existing Cognate investor EW Healthcare Partners. The deal adds to Cognate’s presence in the regenerative medicine space by bringing on board plasmid DNA and viral vector manufacturing capacity and expertise, complementing its own autologous and allogeneic…

November 6, 2019

CAR-T at a crossroad as industry looks to allogeneic

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As cell therapies move through the clinic towards commercialization, respondents to a KNect365 industry survey are beginning to look to allogeneic – or off-the-shelf – products as the next big thing. Almost 200 people contributed to the Cell Therapy Analytics Report from KNect365, revealing their current position within the burgeoning cell and gene therapy space and offering up their thoughts and predictions for the future. The majority worked within companies developing oncology products, and the largest group – 41% –…

October 18, 2019

Big M&A: Alexion in $930m Achillion buy, UCB bids $2.1bn for Ra

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In a big week for Big Pharma M&A, Alexion has agreed to buy Factor D inhibitor developer Achillion and UCB will add a late-stage FcRn targeting antibody through its acquisition of Ra Pharmaceuticals. Alexion Pharmaceuticals, which itself has been in the news recently as a potential target for M&A-hungry Amgen, announced today it has agreed to buy clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Achillion Pharmaceuticals for approximately $930 million (€842 million). The deal adds oral small molecule Factor D inhibitors to treat people…

October 16, 2019

Glenmark taps CHO cell line from Horizon Discovery

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Glenmark Pharmaceuticals says it has integrated Horizon’s GS knockout CHO K1 platform into its cell line portfolio and will use it to develop future monoclonal antibodies. After what Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said was a “stringent evaluation of the cell line,†the drugmaker has licensed Horizon Dscovery’s gene-edited Glutamine Synthetase (GS) knockout Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) K1 cell line. According to a Glenmark spokesperson, Horizon’s CHO-based cell line demonstrated consistently impressive performance, with high levels of productivity, favorable stability profile, and transparent…

October 10, 2019

CDMO focus: Strategic gene therapy deals and $250m sell-off

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Lonza strengthens gene therapy partnership with Prevail; Paragon and Brammer evolving form hyperstacks over to iCELLis units for Sarepta; Mallinckrodt sells off Biovectra. Welcome to Bioprocess Insider’s CDMO round-up. First up in this contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) round-up is Swiss firm Lonza, which is upping its partnership with Prevail Therapeutics. Lonza has worked on the process development of Prevail’s two lead gene therapy programs since 2018 and will now take the partnership to the next stage, using a…

October 9, 2019

J&J expands Irish footprint with €300m plant and 200 new jobs

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J&J subsidiary Janssen has opened a 206,000 square-foot biologics manufacturing facility at its site in Ringaskiddy, county Cork. Janssen Science Ireland announced its plans to construct a €300 million biomanufacturing plant at its site in Ringaskiddy in 2017 and this week the 19,100 m2 (206,000 square feet) opened its doors. “Our manufacturing facilities in Cork are at the cutting-edge of delivering healthcare solutions, which is an important part of our credo commitment to provide the highest quality products to patients, 

October 9, 2019