Biotechnology Acquisitions in 2016

Abzena plc has agreed to acquire The Chemistry Research Solution LLC (TCRS), a specialist contract chemistry and bioconjugation company based in Bristol, Pennsylvania, for $15 million plus assumed debt and share consideration. The acquisition broadens Abzena's ADC (antibody-drug conjugate) capabilities, adds US operating presence on the East Coast and creates cross-selling and GMP biomanufacturing expansion opportunities.

French private equity firm Abenex has acquired Cisbio Bioassays from seller Argos Soditic. Abenex will partner with the biotech to support its organic and external growth strategy across pharmaceutical research and in vitro diagnostics; Cisbio has ~210 employees and generates over 85% of revenue outside France.

Probi AB, via its U.S. subsidiary Probi USA, Inc., signed an asset purchase agreement to acquire the operations of TNTGamble, Inc. (doing business as Nutraceutix) for a preliminary cash purchase price of USD 105 million. The acquisition substantially expands Probi’s North American presence, adds proprietary delivery technology and manufacturing capacity, brings ~200 customers and ~145 employees, and will be financed with cash, a credit facility and a bridge facility to be refinanced by a proposed SEK 600 million rights issue.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has completed its acquisition of Affymetrix for $14.00 per share in cash, representing an approximate total purchase price of $1.3 billion, following approval by Affymetrix stockholders. The deal brings Affymetrix's genetic analysis products and expanded antibody portfolio into Thermo Fisher's life sciences offerings to strengthen its capabilities in biosciences and clinical/applied markets.