Caprion Biosciences acquired Serametrix Corp., a specialized provider of immune monitoring services headquartered in Carlsbad, CA. Caprion plans to leverage Serametrix expertise in the analysis of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), as well as its international operations in the US, UK, Australia and China to expand its global geographic footprint. The acquisition also expands Caprion’s immune monitoring and biomarker services to the biopharmaceutical industry.
 
“Joining forces with Serametrix enables Caprion to strengthen its immunology biomarker offering and provides CAP and CLIA-certified services for supporting Phase I through Phase IV trials from seven different strategic locations in North America, Europe and Asia,” said Martin LeBlanc, president and chief executive officer of Caprion.
 
Serametrix offers CLIA-certified flow cytometry services to support preclinical and clinical studies.  “We fully share the vision of Caprion to provide cutting edge immune-monitoring solutions enabling the developing of innovative immune and cell therapies,” said Phoebe Bonner, chief executive officer of Serametrix.  In collaboration with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Serametrix has developed unique expertise in the analysis of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), whose presence in the blood constitutes a critical determinant of resistance to immune-based cancer therapies. 
 
“These capabilities can stratify patients who respond well to checkpoint inhibitor therapies and evaluate the efficacy of drugs that inhibit the suppressing activity of MDSC,” said Martin LeBlanc.
 
This is Caprion’s third acquisition since GHO Capital’s investment in 2016. In addition to its headquarters in Montreal, Canada, and sites in Belgium, Caprion adds four locations in CA, England, Australia and China. Financial details were not disclosed.