MilliporeSigma to Purchase Mirus Bio
With the acquisition, Merck’s US and Canada life science business aims to further increase its viral vector manufacturing capabilities.
MilliporeSigma, a contract development and manufacturing organization that functions as the United States and Canada life science business of Merck KGaA, will be acquiring Mirus Bio for $600 million.1,2,3 Mirus Bio specializes in the development and commercialization of transfection reagents, including TransIT-VirusGEN. When it comes to the production of viral vector-based gene therapies, transfection reagents are heavily involved in that process.
This transaction is anticipated to close in Q3 2024 and is subject to regulatory clearance and other customary closing conditions.
“This strategic acquisition is a further building block for accelerating growth in the break-through technologies of the future. As a leader in the production of viral vectors, our goal is to make the significant potential of cell and gene therapy available for patients worldwide,” said Belén Garijo, chair of the executive board and CEO of Merck KGaA. “As a leading science and technology company, we are well-positioned to support our Life Science customers across the biopharmaceutical industry to bring new curative treatments to market.”
Matthias Heinzel, member of the executive board and CEO life science, Merck KGaA, also noted that “Viral vector-based cell and gene therapies have demonstrated their potential with more than 20 approvals over the last 10 years4 and will continue to advance, with a projected growth of 30% until 2028.5 “This acquisition, combined with our comprehensive portfolio, enables us to provide a truly differentiated and integrated offering to meet the growing demand for these life-saving therapies.”
On the other side of the deal, Mirus Bio executives are proud of the potential to further grow the brand.
“We have been driving innovation in nucleic acid delivery for two decades,” said Dale Gordon, CEO of Mirus Bio. “MilliporeSigma’s broad portfolio, scale, and global reach, combined with our leading transfection reagents, will help take our business to even greater heights and allow us to serve more customers, and ultimately patients, worldwide.”
The process solutions business within MilliporeSigma offers flexible solutions for viral vector manufacturing in order to further the development of cell and gene therapies, from preclinical through commercial production.
This comprehensive portfolio includes cell lines, cell culture media, processing chemicals and buffers, enzymes, along with systems, filters, hardware and consumables that cover the entire viral vector manufacturing processes. Its expertise and portfolio cover a variety of viral vector types, including adeno-associated virus, lentivirus, and adenovirus.
References
1. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Life Science Company Mirus Bio for US $600 million. Merck KGaA. May 22, 2024. Accessed May 24, 2024. https://www.emdgroup.com/en/news/definite-agreement-mirus-bio-22-05-2024.html
2. MilliporeSigma Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Mirus Bio, Furthering Ambition to Be a Leading Supplier for Viral Vector Manufacturing. MilliporeSigma. May 22, 2024. Accessed May 24, 2024. https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/collections/press/agreement-to-acquire-mirus-bio
3. MilliporeSigma Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Mirus Bio, Furthering Ambition to Be a Leading Supplier for Viral Vector Manufacturing. Business Wire. May 22, 2024. Accessed May 24, 2024. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240523399185/en/5655989/Merck-Signs-Definitive-Agreement-to-Acquire-Mirus-Bio-Furthering-Ambition-to-Be-a-Leading-Supplier-for-Viral-Vector-Manufacturing
4. Approved Cell and Gene Therapy Products. US Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/cellular-gene-therapy-products/approved-cellular-and-gene-therapy-products
5. EvaluatePharma 2023
