Repligen adds single-use filtration tech through TangenX acquisition
Sius single-use cassettes are used in the separation and purification of biomolecules made by Shrewsbury, Massachusetts-based firm TangenX Technology Corporation.
The firm was a subsidiary of French bioprocessing firm Novasep Holding, but last week it was bought by Repligen Corporation for €37m ($39m) to strengthen its filtration offering.
A Novasep spokesperson told this publication the sale formed part of its 'back to basics' strategy implemented over three years ago aimed at refocusing the firm on contract manufacturing services and purification equipment.
"In Biopharma, our equipment offering focuses on process scale chromatography, which is essentially a project-based business. TangenX products required sales and operation channels that were not consistent with Novasep's."
M&A Strategy
Repligen’s CEO Tony Hunt described the deal as “strategic,” adding it “extends our reach into downstream processes, where disposables are increasingly being adopted by biopharmaceutical manufacturers for the convenience, flexibility and cost advantages that they offer.”
The Waltham, Massachusetts-based firm is a major supplier of Protein A ligands, used to make Protein A resin - an effective but expensive way to capture monoclonal antibodies during downstream production – but has been diversifying its portfolio over the past few years through M&A activity.
In June 2014 the firm acquired Refine Technology, adding alternative tangential flow (ATF) for perfusion and cell culture intensification to its upstream offering, and earlier this year bought German chromatography column maker Atoll.
And in May, the firm announced it was looking to raise around $100m in a public offering of convertible senior notes, hinting it was on the hunt for further bolt-on acquisitions.
The Sius cassettes from this latest acquisition will complement Repligen’s Opus line of chromatography columns, the firm said, and can reduce filter costs by up to 80% compared to reusable TFF products.
John Connors, President of TangenX, said: “We have seen strong demand for Sius TFF over the last few years, and look forward to combining forces with Repligen to drive further adoption of Sius and our joint portfolio of products.”
