Charles River Laboratories International : Bionity - Charles River Laboratories to Acquire Vigene Biosciences to Enhance Gene Therapy Capabilities
May 19, 2021 at 07:40 am EDT
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bionity - Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Vigene Biosciences, Inc., a premier, U.S.-based gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) providing viral vector-based gene delivery solutions. The purchase price is expected to be $292.5 million in cash, subject to customary closing adjustments. In addition to the initial purchase price, the transaction includes contingent additional payments of up to $57.5 million based on future performance. The transaction is expected to close in the beginning of the third quarter of 2021, subject to regulatory requirements and customary closing conditions.
James C. Foster, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Charles River Laboratories, commented, 'The addition of Vigene Biosciences' extensive gene therapy expertise will enable us to expand our comprehensive cell and gene therapy portfolio to span each of the major CDMO platforms - cell therapy, viral vector, and plasmid DNA production. In these emerging, high-growth, value-added segments, we intend to continue to differentiate ourselves by bringing our high-science, customizable approach to support the complex needs of cell and gene therapy developers and innovators worldwide. Our goal is to become our clients' scientific partner of choice for advanced drug modalities from discovery and non-clinical development to CGMP manufacturing. We look forward to welcoming Vigene's dedicated employees to the Charles River family.'
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. specializes in the development of products and services in the field of research and non-clinical drug development for pharmaceutical companies, government agencies and academic institutions. Net sales break down by activity as follows:
- discovery and safety assessment services (63.4%): discovery services for the identification, screening and selection of main compounds for the development of new drug candidates, and in vivo and in vitro testing, including pharmacokinetic, bioanalytical, metabolic, toxicological and pathological studies, for the safety assessment of pharmaceutical products, medical devices, animal health products, chemical and agrochemical products and biocides;
- development and sale of research models and related services (19.2%): mice, rats, immunodeficient models, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, etc. The group also offers primary cells and specialized products (bioconservation products, freezing media for cell cultures, antigens, peptides, humanized mouse models, etc.) for the development and manufacture of new cell therapies ;
- development of solutions used in drug manufacturing processes (17.5%): products and services for microbiological testing, in vitro testing, endotoxin testing, microbial identification, development, manufacturing of avian vaccines, etc. The group also offers contract manufacturing services for cell and gene therapies.
Net sales break down by source of income between sales of services (83.3%) and sales of products (16.7%).
Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: the United States (56.8%), Europe (26%), Canada (11.8%), Asia/Pacific (4.9%) and other (0.4%).
CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. 
