Merck KGaA signed a definitive agreement to acquire Exelead, a biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), for approximately $780 million in cash. Exelead specializes in complex injectable formulations, including Lipid Nanoparticle (LNP) based drug delivery technology which is key in mRNA therapeutics for use in Covid-19 and many other indications.
 
“Novel modalities, particularly mRNA, present a highly attractive business opportunity as pharma and biotech pipelines are increasingly building on them beyond Covid-19. The acquisition of Exelead will further enable us to capture the significant potential of the fast-growing market for mRNA therapies by providing leading CDMO services to our customers,” explained Belén Garijo, Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
 
The acquisition of Exelead is another milestone to accelerate innovation in the Process Solutions business unit of Merck KGaA, one of the company’s three growth engines, through targeted smaller to medium-sized acquisitions with high impact. It follows the company’s acquisition of AmpTec, a leading Hamburg, Germany-based, mRNA CDMO, in 2021. The transaction enhances the company’s experience in producing lipids, one of the critical components for the formulation of mRNA therapeutics including Covid-19 vaccines as well as its mRNA manufacturing capabilities.
 
Exelead has more than ten years of experience in all development phases from preclinical development to commercial contract manufacturing for LNP formulations, including fill and finish. Exelead is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, where it operates its production and employs more than 200 experts. Merck KGaA intends to continue to invest in mRNA as a modality and will scale up this technology at Exelead’s existing site in Indianapolis.
 
The transaction is expected to close in 1Q22 and is subject to customary closing conditions.