Thursday, December 17, 2009

MSD to Acquire CMO in England: Avecia Biologics; Price Not Disclosed


This deal follows-up on, and completes an earlier collaboration covering specific microbial-derived biologics efforts between the parties:

. . . .Avecia Investments Limited announced that it entered into a definitive agreement by which Merck will acquire the biologics business of the Avecia group through a Merck affiliate, in the U.K. (MSD). Avecia Biologics is a contract manufacturing organization with specific expertise in microbial-derived biologics. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Under the terms of the agreement, Merck will acquire Avecia Biologics Limited and all its assets, including all the company's process development and scale-up, manufacturing, quality and business support operations located in Billingham, UK. In addition to honoring all Avecia Biologics contractual commitments, Merck plans to engage in discussions with individual customers relating to their specific ongoing and future biological process development and manufacturing needs after the transaction is closed. . . .

Closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval, as well as other customary closing conditions. The Oligomedicines Business of the Avecia group based in the United States does not form part of this transaction. . . .

Makes sense -- in part, to control the channel, here.

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