Biotechnology Acquisitions in Pennsylvania

KKR has completed an additional investment in Sylvan, a global mushroom spawn and fungal biotechnology company, with participation from TPG NewQuest, Ping'An Capital, China Post Insurance, Schroders Capital, Tsao Pao Chee and a follow-on from Novo Holdings. The funding will support Sylvan’s expansion—increasing production capacity, strengthening R&D, developing new product categories and deeper growth across Asian markets—while KKR remains the company’s majority investor.

Altaris, a New York-based healthcare-focused investment firm, acquired the U.S. and U.K. operations of WuXi AppTec's Advanced Therapies unit (including OXGENE). Advanced Therapies will be renamed and headquartered in the United States and Altaris intends to combine it with its recently acquired Minaris Regenerative Medicine to form Minaris Advanced Therapies, expanding cell-therapy CDMO capabilities and global footprint.

Global healthcare private equity firm ARCHIMED has acquired SeqCenter, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based provider of next-generation DNA and RNA sequencing, through its MED Rise fund. ARCHIMED will leverage its MedValue playbook to accelerate SeqCenter's internationalization in Europe and Asia and support further development of advanced sequencing technologies; SeqCenter's founder rolled over a significant portion of his proceeds into the business.

SK pharmteco is acquiring a controlling interest in cell and gene therapy CDMO Center for Breakthrough Medicines (CBM), integrating CBM with its Paris-based Yposkesi to create a global cell & gene therapy business unit. The deal expands SK pharmteco's technical capabilities, production capacity, and U.S./European footprint in advanced biologics manufacturing.

Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. completed a stock-for-stock acquisition of privately held Atrin Pharmaceuticals, obtaining Atrin’s DNA damage response (DDR) oncology programs and proprietary discovery platform. The transaction expands Aprea’s pipeline (including ATRN-119, ATRN-354 and ATRN-W1051), adds Atrin leadership to Aprea’s management and board, and was structured to issue a mix of common stock and Series A preferred stock to former Atrin equity holders (who will own ~58.8% pro forma on an as-converted basis).

FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific, a subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation, has acquired Shenandoah Biotechnology, a manufacturer of recombinant proteins based in Warminster, Pennsylvania. The acquisition expands FUJIFILM's life sciences portfolio by adding cGMP recombinant protein manufacturing capabilities to complement its cell culture media and bioprocessing solutions.

KCAS Bioanalytical and Biomarker Services, a Vitruvian Partners-backed CRO, has acquired FlowMetric, LLC, a provider of flow cytometry and cellular assay R&D services. The add-on expands KCAS's cell and gene therapy capabilities and accelerates its international footprint with FlowMetric's locations in Doylestown, Pennsylvania and Milan, Italy.

Gamma Biosciences, the KKR-created life sciences tools platform, has agreed to acquire BioMagnetic Solutions (BMS), a State College, Pennsylvania developer of ferrofluid-based immunomagnetic cell separation systems. The acquisition brings BMS's next-generation ferrofluid affinity reagents and X-GRAFFE separation platform into Gamma's bioseparations portfolio to accelerate commercialization and scale cell- and gene-therapy manufacturing capabilities.

Altavant Sciences has acquired Onspira Therapeutics, adding OSP-101 — an inhaled interleukin-1 receptor antagonist with orphan drug designation for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) — to its rare respiratory disease pipeline. The deal closed with upfront and milestone payments to Onspira's shareholders and expands Altavant's capabilities in pulmonary transplant-related therapeutics.

bioMérieux has acquired Invisible Sentinel Inc., a Philadelphia-based developer of Veriflow molecular diagnostic tools for food and beverage pathogen and spoilage detection, for approximately $75 million in cash. The deal strengthens bioMérieux's food pathogen testing capabilities, complements its GENE-UP molecular food testing solution and expands its reach into new customer segments such as breweries and wineries.

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.