Moderna, Inc., a biopharma company developing messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines, and OriCiro Genomics K.K., a developer of cell-free DNA synthesis and amplification technologies based in Japan, have entered into a definitive agreement under which Moderna will acquire OriCiro for $85 million.
 
“With this acquisition, we obtain best-in-class tools for cell-free synthesis and amplification of plasmid DNA, a key building block in mRNA manufacturing,” said Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna. “OriCiro’s technology strategically complements our manufacturing expertise and further accelerates our research and development engine. We look forward to welcoming the OriCiro team to Moderna.”
 
“Moderna has demonstrated remarkable speed and ability to impact lives through their innovative platform and mRNA therapeutics. I am confident that our technology and talent will be a highly strategic fit with Moderna,” said Nasir Kato Bashiruddin, Chief Executive Officer of OriCiro.

OriCiro Genomics, founded in December 2018, is focused on the development and commercialization of cell-free synthesis and amplification of plasmid DNAs for applications in gene/cell-based therapies and synthetic biology. OriCiro’s technologies aim to unlock and expedite the possibilities of advanced therapeutics and synthetic biology by providing a powerful tool to be used for research, development and manufacturing of plasmid DNA.