Recipharm Expands Biologics Offering in the US

Recipharm, a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), is continuing to build its service offerings in new biologic modalities through the acquisitions of Vibalogics and Arranta Bio.

Vibalogics is a virotherapy CDMO for the manufacture of oncolytic viruses, viral vaccines and gene therapies, offering process and analytical development, manufacturing, testing and fill-finish services.

Vibalogics is responding to the growing biopharmaceutical industry demand for specialized CDMO capabilities for the manufacture of live viruses and viral vectors including herpes viruses, pox viruses, adenoviruses and other viral classes for cancer and other applications. The company has seen rapid growth of its global customer base comprised of Big Pharma, mid-sized biotechs and start-ups requiring its process expertise, capabilities and capacity for virus production. Continued investment, including its recent expansion in Germany and the U.S., has positioned Vibalogics to support the full product lifecycle of its clients, including commercial supply.

The deal will provide Recipharm with capabilities in new biologics modalities, leveraging Vibalogics’ expertise in oncolytic viruses, viral vaccines and viral vector gene therapies to bring a high degree of diversification across multiple technologies and modalities. Vibalogics builds on the capabilities acquired through the recently announced GenIbet transaction and the acquisition of Arranta Bio, also recently announced.

“We are excited by the opportunities that are already apparent from working with true pioneers in the area of virotherapy manufacturing,” said Marc Funk, CEO, Recipharm. “We are delighted to welcome our new colleagues from Vibalogics to Recipharm and are committed to support and even accelerate growth in the years to come and to continue to partner with customers in virus manufacturing solutions. This acquisition strengthens Recipharm’s presence in ATMPs and enables us to get closer to our US customers. We look forward to working with the Vibalogics team, building links across the wider Recipharm organization to make this business a huge success.”

Tom Hochuli, CEO, Vibalogics, said, “Since 2006 Vibalogics has developed a specialized CDMO business and a leading virotherapy manufacturing platform that has contributed to advancing our customers’ products through development and into global clinical trials, all made possible by our dedicated employees and investors. We are excited to be joining the Recipharm organization and having the opportunity to leverage the breadth and depth of its world leading infrastructure and experience. This furthers our commitment to supporting our customers and the patients who benefit from the exciting developments we are witnessing in the virotherapy field.”

Arranta Bio Deal

On the same day it announced the Vibalogics acquisition, Recipharm made a deal to also acquire Arranta Bio, a CDMO in advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), to further expand its biologics offering in the U.S.

Under the stewardship of Mark Bamforth, Arranta Bio has established a strong service portfolio in delivering microbiome therapeutic products and mRNA clinical production capabilities.

The acquisition forms a cornerstone of Recipharm’s strategy to provide innovative drug developers in the biologics market with scientifically differentiated contract development and manufacturing services for ATMPs and builds on the capabilities acquired through the recently announced GenIbet transaction and the acquisition of Vibalogics.

Arranta Bio has established a strong microbiome platform with fermentation and purification expertise for naturally-derived and engineered bacteria consortia, complemented by services in analytics, proprietary media and cryopreservative formulations. These services maximize yields and enhance viability for live biotherapeutic products that clients are testing in the clinic against a range of infectious, inflammatory, neurological and oncological diseases.

In addition, Arranta Bio is progressing the supply of end-to-end mRNA capabilities across drug substance and drug product under one roof, providing its customers with substantial time savings in product manufacturing and a hedge against supply chain challenges.

The acquisition of Arranta establishes a robust U.S. presence for Recipharm. It provides the company with a further platform from which to build its capabilities in new biologics modalities, leveraging Arranta’s expertise in advanced therapies to bring a high degree of diversification across multiple technologies and modalities.

“We welcome Arranta and its team of experts who boast a strong reputation in the CDMO industry,” said Mr. Funk. “Arranta is a leading player in its field that we are proud of bringing under the Recipharm umbrella and continue to build in line with our vision of supporting biotechs by providing process development, manufacturing expertise and bold solutions to take their programs from lab to patient. This acquisition is another important step for us in growing our biologics business and developing a strong presence into the US. We look forward to working closely with the Arranta team, building links across the wider Recipharm organization to make this business a huge success.”

Arranta’s CEO Mr. Bamforth said, “I am convinced that Recipharm will be a great home for Arranta and our talented team and that together we can fulfil our joint vision of building the leading ATMP CDMO. We share Recipharm’s vision of focusing on ATMP customers with novel manufacturing solutions and we see a clear opportunity to accelerate to global scale in this new context.”