Curia to Acquire US-based LakePharma, Expanding End-to-End R&D Capabilities and Scale for Biologics
2021-07-14Category: News
Albany,
NY – July 14, 2021 – Curia, formerly
AMRI, a leading contract research, development and manufacturing organization, today announced it has entered into
a definitive agreement to acquire LakePharma Inc., a privately held biologics drug
discovery, clinical research, development and manufacturing organization with
operations in California, Massachusetts, and Texas.
Established
in 2009 in the Bay Area, LakePharma applies its range of technology platforms
to advance projects from discovery to development to manufacturing, namely
cell-line development, bioexpression systems and viral vector production
systems. Almost a quarter of its employees hold Ph.D.s, bringing expertise in
all major biologics segments: mammalian, microbial, plasmid DNA, mRNA, monoclonal
antibodies, and viral vector, including cell and gene therapy. LakePharma has
contributed to the development of more than 200 therapeutic or diagnostic
products and served more than 1,500 customers, including 22 of the top 25
global biopharmaceutical companies.
After the
transaction close, the combined company will provide deep expertise in both
large and small molecules from drug discovery through drug substance
manufacturing, sterile injectable formulation and fill-finish production.
LakePharma’s six facilities and 235 employees will join with Curia’s 21 sites
and more than 3,100 employees to offer clients an end-to-end partnership in
drug discovery, formulation and process development as well as drug substance
and drug product clinical and commercial manufacturing. Curia recently announced
it has also signed a definitive agreement to acquire Integrity Bio, a privately
held formulation and fill-finish organization headquartered in Camarillo,
California.
“LakePharma
will expand our integrated approach to provide biotech and pharmaceutical
companies with small and large molecule research, development and manufacturing
solutions,” said Curia Chairman & CEO John Ratliff. “Funding and innovation
in the biotech sector remains strong. Our combined capabilities will enable us
to partner with our customers by seamlessly providing LakePharma’s
multi-modality innovation and speed along with fill-finish solutions from Curia.
Our agreements with LakePharma and Integrity Bio demonstrate our commitment to
expanding and deepening our biologics capabilities to help our customers
advance from curiosity to cure.”
Hua Tu, Ph.D.,
founder and CEO of LakePharma, said: “LakePharma is delighted to join the Curia
family. Over the last 12 years, we have built a strong brand as ‘The Biologics
Company,’ a talented and dedicated employee team, and a loyal and supportive
client base. We are excited to join Curia’s global network, including
commercial manufacturing capabilities, in delivering end-to-end integrated
biologics solutions to our pharma and biotech clients.”
RBC Capital
Markets, LLC is serving as exclusive financial adviser to Curia and Nelson Mullins
Riley & Scarborough LLP is serving as Curia’s legal counsel. Goldman Sachs &
Co. LLC is serving as financial adviser to LakePharma, and Fenwick & West
LLP is serving as LakePharma’s legal counsel. The transaction, which is subject
to standard and customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the third
quarter. Terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.
About Curia
Curia, formerly AMRI, is a leading
contract research, development and manufacturing organization providing
products and services from R&D through commercial manufacturing to pharmaceutical
and biopharmaceutical customers. Curia’s 3,100 employees at 21 locations across
the U.S., Europe and Asia help its customers advance from curiosity to cure.
Learn more at CuriaGlobal.com.
About LakePharma
LakePharma
is a U.S.-based biologics CRDMO with operations in California, Texas, and
Massachusetts. This biotech company specializes in the production and
evaluation of DNA vectors, viral vectors, cell lines, proteins, antibodies,
mRNA and conjugates while providing integrated solutions bridging discovery,
engineering, development, and GMP manufacturing. LakePharma has contributed to
the development of 200+ therapeutic or diagnostic products and strives to
develop hundreds more. Learn more at www.LakePharma.com.
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