INDUSTRIAL IMPACT
Gilead Sciences, Inc. | August 05, 2022
Gilead Sciences, Inc. and MiroBio, a privately-held U.K.-based biotechnology company focused on restoring immune balance with agonists targeting immune inhibitory receptors, today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Gilead will acquire MiroBio for approximately $405 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments.
The acquisition will provide Gilead with MiroBio’s proprietary discovery platform and entire portfolio of immune inhibitory receptor agonists. MiroBio’s lead investigational antibody, MB272, is a selective agonist of immune inhibitory receptor B- and T-Lymphocyte Attenuator and has entered Phase 1 clinical trials, with the first patient dosed earlier this week. MB272 targets T, B and dendritic cells to inhibit or blunt activation and suppress an inflammatory immune response.
MiroBio’s I-ReSToRE platform (REceptor Selection and Targeting to Reinstate immune Equilibrium) has the potential to be used to develop best-in-class agonist antibodies targeting immune inhibitory receptors, a novel approach to the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The I-ReSToRE platform supports identification and development of therapeutics that utilize inhibitory signaling networks with the goal of restoring immune homeostasis for patients. Gilead anticipates advancing additional agonists derived from MiroBio’s I-ReSToRE platform, including a PD-1 agonist, MB151, and other undisclosed early-stage programs, over the next several years.
“The team at MiroBio has spearheaded foundational research for agonist antibodies following a rigorous scientific approach,” said Flavius Martin, Executive Vice President, Research, Gilead Sciences. “We believe that MiroBio’s unique platform technology has the potential to produce best-in-class agonist antibodies targeting immune inhibitory receptors.”
“We are excited to be joining Gilead. MiroBio has a deep understanding of checkpoint receptor signaling and a proprietary approach to select and generate superior agonist antibodies. Combining this with Gilead’s drug development and therapeutic area expertise will allow us to fully explore the potential of checkpoint agonist antibodies for patients with autoimmune disease.”
Eliot Charles, Chairman of MiroBio
Under the terms of the agreement, Gilead will acquire all of the outstanding share capital of MiroBio for a total of $405 million in cash consideration, subject to customary adjustments, which is payable at closing. Beginning in the first quarter of 2022, consistent with recent industry communications from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gilead no longer excludes acquired IPR&D expenses from its non-GAAP financial measures. We expect the transaction with MiroBio to reduce Gilead’s GAAP and non-GAAP 2022 EPS by approximately $0.30-$0.35. Closing of the transaction is subject to expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary conditions.
About MiroBio
MiroBio is a clinical-stage private biotechnology company whose mission is to develop a new class of therapeutic agents, checkpoint agonist antibodies, to restore immune balance in autoimmune patients. MiroBio has developed I-ReSToRE, a proprietary discovery platform, combining its Checkpoint Atlas™, a cutting-edge receptor mapping database and visualization tool, with proprietary antibody engineering. It was spun out of Oxford University in 2019 and is based on more than 15 years of foundational research from the labs of Professor Simon Davis and Professor Richard Cornall with the potential to create safer and more efficacious medicines for patients with autoimmune disease. MiroBio is backed by a strong group of international investors including Oxford Science Enterprises, Samsara BioCapital, SR One, Medicxi, Advent Life Sciences, OrbiMed and Monograph.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, cancer and inflammation. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California
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MEDTECH
Applied StemCell Inc. | August 30, 2022
Applied StemCell, Inc. a leading cell and gene therapy CRO/CDMO focused on supporting the research community and biotechnology industry for their needs in developing and manufacturing cell and gene products, today announced the expansion of its Current Good Manufacturing facility. ASC has successfully carried out cell banking and product manufacturing projects in its current cGMP suite and is now set on building 4 additional cGMP cleanrooms, cryo-storage space, and a process development and QC/QA space. The expansion of the facility will increase its cell banking and cell product manufacturing capacity and allow ASC’s team of experts to work simultaneously on multiple manufacturing projects such as iPSC generation, gene editing, differentiation, and cell bank manufacturing for safe and efficacious therapeutic products.
“We are very excited to move forward with the expansion of our cGMP facility. Our team has been working closely with our clients to ensure delivery of high-quality clinical grade products. We thank our customers for their support and trust. With the addition of 4 cGMP cleanrooms, we will be able to assist a greater number of researchers focused on cell and gene therapy.”
Dr. David Lee, Ph.D., Head of GMP and Quality
President and CEO, Dr. Ruby Yanru Chen-Tsai, Ph.D. stated, “We are committed to becoming a CDMO leader to support regenerative medicine and cell/gene therapy development and manufacturing. We aim to expand our bio-manufacturing capacity to meet the fast-growing demand in the cell and gene therapy industry. Our unique platform of GMP-grade allogeneic iPSC and TARGATTTM gene editing technology provides our partners great advantages, including shorter manufacturing timelines, non-viral gene editing, and genomic stability and safety.”
Construction will begin within the next month, and the company has already begun the staff hiring process. ASC hopes to have the expansion completed and a team built that will be ready to take on as much as 4 times more new projects early next year.
About Applied StemCell, Inc.
ASC has a Drug Manufacturing License from the California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch (FDB). It has a Quality Management System (ISO 13485 certified) and established cGMP-compliant protocols for cell banking and manufacturing, iPSC generation, genome editing, iPSC differentiation, and cell product manufacturing. With over 13 years of gene-editing and stem cell expertise, ASC offers comprehensive and customized cell and gene CRO/CDMO solutions. Its core iPSC and genome editing technologies, facilitate site-specific, large cargo transgene integration and the development of allogenic cell products.
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MEDTECH
Solvias | July 18, 2022
Solvias, one of the world's leading independent pharmaceutical testing and manufacturing companies, announced today that it has acquired Utrecht, Netherlands-based Cergentis. The acquisition bolsters Solvias' platform of biologics and cell and gene therapy testing solutions.
According to pharmaceutical market intelligence provider, Evaluate, global sales of cell and gene therapies are projected to accelerate at a 63% compound annual growth rate through 2026. As more researchers leverage emerging genetic engineering techniques to develop complex, novel medicines, they require sophisticated solutions to analyze their safety and effectiveness.
With the addition of Cergentis, Solvias supports the increasing number of global pharmaceutical, biotech, and contract development and manufacturing organizations developing genetically engineered therapies with an expanded platform of testing services highlighted by
a highly scientific team possessing advanced degrees and deep expertise steeped in emerging genome techniques and evolving regulatory requirements
proprietary genomic analysis technology that delivers comprehensive data in a single experiment that enables effective decision-making and R&D program design
a global network serving customers across three continents
customized support for distinct genetic engineering applications, including cell and gene therapy, cell line development & genetically engineered models
specialized knowledge in genomic sequencing of early-stage cell lines to support one of the first steps in the R&D process
high-touch support encompassing end-to-end logistical services, digital project management and reporting capabilities to enable rapid turnaround time
"We are relentlessly focused on ensuring the safety of new therapies in development. Cergentis is a cornerstone acquisition that expands our solutions supporting complex and emerging therapies. We will continue to pursue strategic acquisitions that add specialized capabilities to our offering and advance our goal of being a forerunner in our industry."
Archie Cullen, CEO, Solvias
Joris Schuurmans, CEO, Cergentis, added:
"We are excited to become part of a global leader that complements our scientific expertise, innovation and customer service. Solvias and Cergentis share a deep commitment to providing our customers with the highest quality solutions and support to safely get their products into the hands of patients who need them."
Effective immediately, Mr. Schuurmans will join Solvias' leadership team and continue to lead operations for Cergentis.
Cergentis marks Solvias' second acquisition since partnering with health care investors Water Street Healthcare Partners and JLL Partners in 2020. The company has recruited industry leaders to join its board and commenced a program to significantly upgrade and expand its information technology platform and infrastructure to support its plans for global expansion.
Financial terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed. Achelous Partners served as the advisor to Cergentis on the transaction.
About Cergentis
Cergentis is a trusted genomics-focused biotechnology company providing services and in-house solutions based on its proprietary genomic analysis platform to all leading biopharmaceutical companies and renowned research institutes. With widely published and recognized genetic analyses, Cergentis supports a global customer base in the characterization and QC of genetically engineered models, biopharmaceutical cell line development, and cell- and gene therapy products. By helping to de-risk R&D program decisions, minimizing time-to-clinic, providing objective genomic evidence for regulators, and supporting patient safety, Cergentis aims to support biopharmaceutical medicine development programs worldwide.
About Solvias AG
Solvias is a worldwide leader in contract research, development and manufacturing for the pharmaceutical, biotech, material science and cosmetic industries. Drawing on 20 years of scientific excellence, the company provides flexible and scalable analytical and manufacturing solutions that ensure the integrity of pharmaceutical and medical device products across their life cycle. Headquartered in Kaiseraugst near Basel, Switzerland, Solvias and its laboratories operate to the highest standards and in accordance with ISO, GMP, GLP and FDA regulations.
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