The latest from CDMOs, CMOs, and suppliers featuring WuXi AppTec, Evonik, ProBioGen, Lifecore Biomedical, and Barentz.  

Biologics Manufacturing 
* WuXi AppTec Agrees to Sell Advanced Therapies Business to Private Equity Firm  
* ProBioGen Expanding Protein & Virus Mfg Capacity 
* Evonik, ST Pharm Partner To Expand RNA & Nucleic Acid Services 
Formulation Development/Drug Product Manufacturing 
* Lifecore Biomedical To Sell Excess Isolator Filling Equipment for $17 M 
General 
* Barentz Appoints New CEO 

---

Biologics Manufacturing 

WuXi AppTec Agrees to Sell Advanced Therapies Business to Private Equity Firm 
WuXi AppTec, a CDMO of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and drug products, has agreed to sell the US and UK based operations of WuXi Advanced Therapies (ATU), its cell and gene therapy unit, to Altaris, a New York-based healthcare investment firm. The company made the announcement last month (December 23, 2024).    

All other WuXi AppTec operations remain unchanged, and WuXi AppTec’s major business units—WuXi Chemistry, WuXi Biology, and WuXi Testing – will continue as is.  

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions and receipt of required regulatory approvals. 

Source: WuXi AppTec 

---

ProBioGen Expanding Protein & Virus Mfg Capacity 
ProBioGen, a Berlin-Germany-based CDMO of biologics, has announced the expansion of both protein and virus manufacturing at its Berlin headquarters. This includes the commissioning of an additional 1,000-L-scale GMP production line for proteins as well as the completion of the construction phase of its virus manufacturing unit. The expanded services include process development, early-risk detection, and GMP production up to 200 L, paired with analytical and regulatory support. 

Source: ProBioGen 

---

Evonik, ST Pharm Partner To Expand RNA & Nucleic Acid Services 
Evonik has partnered with ST Pharm, a Siheung, South Korea-based CDMO, to expand Evonik’s RNA and nucleic acid therapeutic services. ST Pharm provides actve pharmaceutical ingredients, including siRNAs, mRNA- lipid nanoparticle (LNPs), and small-molecule manufacturing, as well as oligonucleotides and enzymatic biotransformation, including mRNA CDMO services. ST Pharm’s portfolio includes its proprietary 5′-capping technology, SmartCap, which features 30 capping analogs and capping library screening services for mRNA development Through the partnership, Evonik will provide customized nucleic acids from ST Pharm alongside Evonik’s portfolio of lipid and LNP drug-product development services.  

Source: Evonik 

---

Formulation Development/Drug Product Manufacturing 

Lifecore Biomedical To Sell Excess Isolator Filling Equipment for $17 M 
Lifecore Biomedical, a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based CDMO of fill–finish services, has entered into a sales agreement for the company’s previously purchased, but not yet installed, high-speed, multi-purpose 10-head isolator filler. Under the agreement, the buyer will pay Lifecore an aggregate purchase price of $17 million in exchange for the 10-head filler. Lifecore received $7 million at closing and anticipates receiving the remaining payments in three tranches over the next 18 months. 

Source: Lifecore Biomedical 

---

General 

Barentz Appoints New CEO 
Barentz, a global provider of specialty ingredients, named Derk Jan Terhorst as Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1, 2025. Terhorst took over from Terry Hill, who had served as the company’s Interim CEO since May 2024. Terhorst has been with Barentz for more than three years as Group Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Barentz, he held senior management positions in Ahold Delhaize, a global food company, and Tony’s Chocolonely, a Dutch chocolate manufacturer, providing expertise in international financial management, with experience spanning Europe and the US. 

Source: Barentz