Thermo Fisher expands bioprocessing with BD acquisition
In its latest investment into the biomanufacturing space, Thermo Fisher moved to acquire Beckon, Dickinson and Company’s portfolio in the area, which includes peptones that improve cell culture media formulations.
The Advanced Bioprocessing unit has an approximate annual revenue of $100m (€86.25m). It is built to provide services that improve cell culture yield while reducing variability.
A spokesperson for Thermo Fisher told us that these services will be “complementary to our existing offering[s]” and will add “strong technical service programs”.
A spokesperson for Thermo Fisher stated that “the talent and expertise of the Advanced Bioprocessing team…is a key reason we are interested in acquiring the business”; However, they did not confirm the numbers of staff that would be retained, stating only that such plans are just being formed.
The acquisition is expected to be completed in early 2019, for an undisclosed fee, and will add to a number of deals Thermo Fisher has made within bioprocessing as of late.
Earlier this year, the company spent $50m to bolster capacity at its St. Louis, Missouri, facility and signed a long-term contract with Juno Therapeutics to develop CAR T therapies.
