TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - Fujifilm (FUJIF.PK) announced an agreement to acquire Kalon Biotherapeutics, LLC , a biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing organization having expertise in vaccine manufacturing, and will enter the vaccine contract manufacturing organization or CMO market to expand its biopharmaceutical business.
At the initial closing of this transaction expected to occur within the next few months, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies U.S.A., Inc. or FDBU, a Fujifilm subsidiary, will acquire 49% of the total membership interests in Kalon and will be entitled to appoint a majority of Kalon's board members. Thereafter, FDBU may increase its interest share up to 100% based on achievement of certain milestones set forth in the Interest Purchase Agreement.
On October 22, 2014, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies U.S.A., Inc. or FDBU, a FUJIFILM subsidiary, signed an Interest Purchase Agreement, with the owners of Kalon: the State of Texas, acting by and through the Office of the Governor, and The Texas A&M University System or TAMUS.
Kalon is a biopharmaceutical CMO with advanced technologies and facilities, founded in 2011 by TAMUS, and is a key subcontractor to one of the three Centers For Innovation In Advanced Development and Manufacturing or CIADM awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to develop and manufacture medical countermeasures to protect public health in emergencies, including incidents of bioterrorism or an outbreak of pandemic influenza.
Fujifilm entered biopharmaceutical CMO business by acquiring FDBU and Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies UK Limited from Merck & Co., Inc in 2011 and has been expanding their businesses through the partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation, who has extensive experiences in the pharmaceutical business.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX