Sigma-Aldrich Corp. has acquired Molecular Medicine BioServices Inc., a biopharma CMO located in Carlsbad, CA, to enhance the biologics capabilities within its SAFC Pharma business segment. The acquisition of MMB, which had $12 million in revenues last year, is expected to help Sigma-Aldrich “achieve its growth goals in key high technology markets over the next several years,” according to the company.

David Backer, president of MMB, an equity holder and one of the company’s founders, will continue as Site Director. All current employees “in good standing,” including all of MMB’s existing management team, will be retained.

MMB was founded in 1997 and employs 60 people at its state-of-the-art 23,700-sq.-ft. laboratory and HQ building and 21,400-sq.-ft. manufacturing facilities in Carlsbad. Its core expertise is in the development and clinical manufacturing of viral products, drawing on cutting-edge technology to deliver DNA, RNA and critical active ingredients for the production of novel vaccines and gene therapies.

Since its inception, the company has expanded its capabilities from the use of flat-stock cell factories to the extensive use of stir tanks and economic, disposable bioreactor systems. Significantly enhancing SAFC Pharma’s oncology offer, MMB has produced clinical grade drug products for a variety of different cancer indicators, including head, neck, prostate and pancreatic cancers, as well as for other therapeutic indicators, including Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular disease.

SAFC president Frank Wicks commented, “The acquisition of MMB continues our push into niche biologics, giving us the critical capability to manufacture virus. It also complements both our new transgenic extraction and purification facility which opened last month in St. Louis and our potent bacterial fermentation facility currently under construction in Israel. MMB’s experienced team, capabilities and relationships with key end-users, combined with SAFC’s global presence and financial strength, will allow us to work together to provide the pharmaceutical industry with better, more specialized, high-quality materials to meet customer needs and demand.”

Mr. Backer added, “As part of SAFC, MMB remains committed to providing high quality viral products and services in support of our clients’ clinical trials. Our integration into SAFC Pharma brings large scale commercial manufacturing expertise, significant investment capabilities and a strong distribution network, enabling us to expand our service offering and help progress our partner clients’ products more quickly through to market.”

The transaction was initiated by Fairmount Partners, a specialty healthcare investment banking firm based in Philadelphia, PA, who acted as advisor to Molecular Medicine. Bryan Cave LLP acted as legal advisor to Sigma-Aldrich. Terms of the purchase, which were not disclosed, were paid in cash.