Biotechnology Acquisitions in Texas

Colossal Biosciences has acquired Viagen Pets and Equine, a Texas-based leader in animal cloning, cryopreservation, and genetic preservation, which will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary under its existing leadership. The deal expands Colossal’s de‑extinction and species preservation platform, bringing Viagen’s cloning expertise, biobanking capabilities and a ~25‑person team into Colossal’s conservation pipeline.

Creative Science, a CIMA Animal Health company based in Orange City, Iowa, has acquired Astaria Global, an equine-focused developer of orthobiologic therapies based in Houston, Texas. The deal expands Creative Science's equine health portfolio and brings Astaria's proprietary technologies for pain management and inflammatory airway disease into its veterinary product lineup.

Cellipont Bioservices named Darren Head as CEO and announced a minority growth equity investment from HealthQuest Capital, with majority investor Great Point Partners also participating. The capital and leadership transition are intended to support Cellipont’s expansion of cell-therapy CDMO capabilities and operational growth.

VION Biosciences, the life-science platform backed by Iron Path Capital, has acquired Ansh Labs, an immunoassay development and reagent manufacturer based in Houston, Texas. The add-on expands VION's diagnostics capabilities — adding GMP IVD manufacturing and ISO 13485 certification — and broadens the platform's product and service offerings for clinical diagnostics, research, and pharmaceutical development.

Aileron Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALRN) completed a stock-for-stock acquisition of Lung Therapeutics, Inc., bringing the clinical-stage pulmonary and fibrosis-focused pipeline (including lead candidate LTI-03) into Aileron's portfolio. Immediately after the acquisition Aileron arranged a private placement led by Bios Partners (with participation from Nantahala Capital and others) to raise approximately $18 million to fund ongoing development, including a Phase 1b trial of LTI-03.

Biogen Inc. agreed to acquire Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for $172.50 per share in cash, representing an enterprise value of approximately $7.3 billion. The acquisition adds Reata's FDA-approved SKYCLARYS (omaveloxolone) for Friedreich's ataxia to Biogen's rare disease portfolio and is expected to be significantly accretive to Biogen's Non-GAAP diluted EPS beginning in 2025; the transaction was anticipated to close in Q4 2023.

Global Cord Blood Corporation (GCBC) agreed to acquire 100% of clinical-stage biotech Cellenkos, Inc., and worldwide rights to most of its products (excluding those under an Incyte collaboration). The transaction consideration includes approximately 125 million new shares (as-converted) valued at $11 per share plus $664 million in cash; GCBC said the acquisition expands its capabilities into allogeneic T-reg cell therapies and supports global commercialization and R&D.

3D Systems has agreed to acquire Houston-based biofabrication start-up Volumetric for $45 million at closing with up to $355 million in milestone-based earnouts tied to human-application development, creating a new 20,000 sq. ft. regenerative medicine facility in Houston. The acquisition brings Volumetric's light-based bioprinting platform and biomaterials into 3D Systems' life-sciences capabilities and supports an existing joint development program with United Therapeutics.

Bristol Myers Squibb entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Forbius, a clinical-stage protein engineering company, to obtain its isoform‑selective TGF‑beta 1 & 3 program including lead asset AVID200. The deal includes an upfront payment plus potential milestone payments; Forbius' non‑TGF‑beta assets will be transferred to a newly formed private company retained by Forbius' existing shareholders, and the parties expected to close in Q4 2020 subject to customary conditions.