According to both companies, this €10 million acquisition will strengthen EUROAPI’s CDMO market position in oligonucleotides, by adding a reputable oligonucleotide CDMO pure player to its roster.
The planned expansion of EUROAPI’s Frankfurt oligonucleotide capacity in 2025 will also be complementary to Biano’s early-phase expertise and enable larger-scale projects offering.
In addition, the transaction will further differentiate EUROAPI’s value proposition to accompany a wider client base across the whole oligonucleotide development continuum, from research to commercialization, the company said.
Oligonucleotides are large molecules with complex structures which address a wide array of therapeutic applications including oncology, central nervous system conditions, genetic disorders and infectious or metabolic diseases.
The global oligonucleotide market is growing between 12% to 14% per year and is almost entirely outsourced to CDMOs. Approximately 600 molecules are currently being developed in the market, including 500 in preclinical and phase 1 and approximately 100 in later phase 2s.
The news comes after EUROAPI recently announced an initial investment of €18 million in new manufacturing equipment to increase overall peptide and oligonucleotide capacity at its Frankfurt site to approximately 500 kilograms per year by 2025.
Karl Rotthier, CEO of EUROAPI, said: “The acquisition of Biano builds on EUROAPI’s strategy to accelerate its CDMO roadmap through vertical integration and strengthen its highly differentiated platforms, notably oligonucleotide activity. By coupling Biano’s expertise and capacity in early-stage projects with EUROAPI’s larger scale capabilities, we aim to support our clients along the drug development pathway as a one-stop shop. This bolt-on transaction is a key milestone in our journey to become a leading, fast-growing CDMO company.”
Biano’s Tobias Pöhlmann added: “I am thrilled to get the opportunity to continue to expand Biano’s capabilities in order to grow with our customers and provide material for later clinical phases. Biano has a track record of hands-on support on innovative oligonucleotide developments, complex chemistries and conjugation of peptides and lipids. With a client base in Europe and Asia, it will benefit from EUROAPI’s sales and marketing teams to expand into new geographies."
As part of the transaction, Biano will retain its corporate brand and become a EUROAPI company.