Deal-Making Archives - Page 14 of 78 - BioProcess InternationalBioProcess International

Investing in small molecule derisks our portfolio, says Bone Therapeutics

Through the reverse merger of Medsenic, Bone Therapeutics will broaden and derisk its portfolio while increasing funding opportunities, the firm says. France-based firm Medsenic specializes in the advancement of optimized formulations of arsenic salts targeting inflammatory conditions and other indications. Under the terms of the deal, Bone Therapeutics will acquire 51 percent of Medsenic shares, valued at $40 million. Together, Bone Therapeutics and Medsenic will create a new biopharma company under the name BioSenic. According to both parties, the integration…

Neukio Bio raises $50m for allogenic CAR-T therapies

by Richard Daverman

Shanghai, China-based Neukio Biotherapeutics has completed a $50 million Series A-1 funding to support development of its cell therapy molecules, especially off-the-shelf allogenic CAR-T therapies. After raising $40 million in an Angel round last year, the company will use these latest funds to accelerate preclinical/clinical validation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived off-the-shelf CAR-NK cell therapy products, while also expanding its team and operations. This latest funding was led by CD Capital, with participation from Alwin Capital and Surplus Capital…

Lonza boosts mRNA services through Touchlight collaboration

by Dan Stanton

The partnership will see CDMO Lonza integrate Touchlight’s doggybone DNA tech into its messenger RNA (mRNA) manufacturing offering. Swiss contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Lonza has been at the forefront of mRNA production, in part due to major contracts to supply the drug substance for hundreds of millions of doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax. It’s oligonucleotide and RNA production capabilities have also been bolstered through various investments across its global network, including an expansion at its Visp, Switzerland…

LuinaBio: Ampersand adds another CMDO to portfolio

by Dan Stanton

Biotech investor Glenn Haifer and private equity firm Ampersand Capital Partners have acquired microbial CDMO LuinaBio and renamed it AcuraBio. LuinaBio has been a microbial contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for over 20 years but will now be rebranded as AcuraBio following the acquisition. No financials have been disclosed but the new owners, Haifer and Ampersand, plan to increase the contract development and manufacturing organization’s (CDMO) production facility capacity, located near Brisbane, Australia. “We are very excited to be…

ElevateBio inks deal with Pittsburgh University to accelerate CGTs

by Millie Nelson

ElevateBio will use its development and manufacturing platform, BaseCamp, to support the University of Pittsburgh’s cell and gene therapy (CGT) pipeline. The long-term partnership between ElevateBio and the University of Pittsburgh aims to develop CGTs through the implementation of viral vector and cell therapy process development and manufacturing platform, BaseCamp. BaseCamp is designed for both commercial and clinical cell and gene therapies as well as regenerative medicines. And according to ElevateBio, the University of Pittsburgh will be fully equipped with…

Cytiva and ForecyteBio partner to advance CGTs

by Millie Nelson

Cytiva claims the installation of its FlexFactory facilities will provide ForecyteBio with access to platforms to manufacture viral vectors and plasmid DNA for the US and Chinese markets. Cell and gene therapy (CGT) contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) ForcecyteBio will begin the collaboration at Cytiva’s Fast Trak center located in Shanghai, China. “Cytiva‘s Fast Trak Center will consult on process design and development, GMP production platform development, and talent building and training,” a spokesperson for Cytiva told BioProcess Insider.…

ChargePoint ups SU tech with PuroVaso buy

by Millie Nelson

ChargePoint Technology has acquired PuroVaso, a development and production firm of single-use containers, equipment, and accessories for the biopharma industry. The deal, of which financial details are undisclosed, sees liquid and powder transfer firm ChargePoint acquire PuroVaso to complement “the existing product range, giving pharmaceutical manufacturers a broader choice of world-class powder and liquid transfer, storage, and handling products that solve customers’ application-specific problems with enhanced productivity,” a spokesperson for the firm told us. According to ChargePoint, the decision to…

Novartis waves goodbye to biosimilars with Sandoz split

by Dan Stanton

Novartis will spin-off its generics division Sandoz, which includes a portfolio of eight biosimilar products. In 2018, Novartis granted its generic and biosimilar medicine division Sandoz more autonomy while claiming to be “completely committed” to the business. Since then, analysts and investors have been hedging their bets as to when the inevitable spin-off would therefore occur. Following a strategic review last year, the Swiss firm has now cemented a separation plan to be completed by the second half of 2023.…

Cytiva and Caring Cross to develop CAR-T for HIV

by Millie Nelson

Cytiva’s support will enable Caring Cross to develop and distribute its CAR-T cell therapy for HIV to low-to-middle-income countries, says firm. Caring Cross’ first therapeutic candidate is an anti-HIV duoCAR-T cell therapy, which the organization claims is designed to supress HIV replication and remove HIV-expressing cells in individuals with HIV. Additionally, it is developing a stem cell gene therapy for sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. “Approximately 38 million people worldwide are living with HIV. Current treatment options are limited to…

Bavarian Nordic inks fill/finish deal with GRAM for monkeypox vaccine

by Millie Nelson

Bavarian Nordic has entered into an agreement with Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM) for fill and finish of the firm’s smallpox/monkeypox vaccine, Jynneos. In September 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave Bavarian Nordic the go ahead to manufacture and distribute the liquid-frozen suspension of its vaccine Jynneos (known as Imvanex in Europe) for smallpox and monkeypox in adults aged 18 years and over. Now, with the firm receiving an additional order for 2.5 million doses of the vaccine…