KBI Biopharma, Inc. (KBI), a biologics contract manufacturer, signed an agreement with Merck & Co., Inc. to acquire Merck's microbial process development and manufacturing operations in Boulder, Colorado, effective May 1, 2014. Under the agreement, KBI will provide ongoing development and manufacturing services to Merck as well as to third-party customers.

“We are very pleased to continue to advance our partnership with Merck, and to welcome this very highly regarded team of scientists in Boulder to the KBI team,” stated Joe McMahon, KBI's President and CEO, in a company statement. “KBI will now offer expanded microbial development and manufacturing services up to 1500-L scale, as well as continuing to offer our current full range of process development, analytical and formulation development, and mammalian manufacturing services up to 2000 L.”

McMahon joined KBI in 2002 and has been president and CEO since 2005. Prior to joining KBI, he was vice-president of Diosynth Biotechnology.

Source: KBI Biopharma