Charles River Laboratories to acquire Vigene Biosciences for $292.5M

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., a preclinical contract research organization (CRO), has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Vigene Biosciences, Inc., a gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that offers viral vector-based gene delivery solutions. The purchase price is expected to be $292.5 million in cash. The deal, anticipated to close in Q3, also features contingent additional payments of up to $57.5 million based on future performance.

Vigene provides contract manufacturing across various gene therapy platforms. Its specialty lies in cGMP (current good manufacturing practice) viral vector manufacturing, which is used for gene therapies and gene-modified cell therapies.

The CDMO also has knowledge in adeno-associated virus (AAV) cGMP production, which is the most commonly used delivery solution for gene therapies, as well as for other major viral vectors. Vigene offers research grade and cGMP plasmid DNA (pDNA), a tool used for developing viral vectors for gene-modified cell therapies, gene therapies and vaccine production.

Charles River’s most recent acquisition makes it the third in a two-month span, a streak that began after the $875 million February deal featuring Cognate BioServices.