Paragon Bioservices is a major viral vector development and manufacturing partner for gene therapies.
Paragon president and CEO Pete Buzy said: “We are excited to join forces with the leading drug development and manufacturing partner in our industry. This transaction will enable us to achieve our next stage of development and expand our capabilities and platform for the benefit of our customers and their patients.”
Paragon has specialized expertise in adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, as well as advanced capabilities in GMP plasmids and lentivirus vectors.
For more than two decades, Paragon has collaborated with biotech and pharma companies for the development and manufacturing of products based on technologies, including AAV and other gene therapies, next-generation vaccines, oncology immunotherapies, therapeutic proteins, and other complex biologics.
Paragon’s services comprised of process development, GMP manufacturing, aseptic fill/finish, analytical development, master/working cell and virus banks, as well as stability studies.
The company is specialized in the development and optimization of therapeutics across central therapeutic areas of public health.
Subject to customary closing conditions, the deal is expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year.
Catalent chair and CEO John Chiminski said: “Paragon’s unparalleled expertise in the rapidly growing market of gene therapy manufacturing will be a transformative addition to our business that we believe will accelerate our long-term growth.
“Paragon brings to Catalent a complementary capability that will fundamentally enhance our biologics business and our end-to-end integrated biopharmaceutical solutions for customers.”
In July 2018, Catalent agreed to acquire Juniper Pharmaceuticals in a deal valued at around $133m.
Juniper’s core businesses include Crinone (progesterone gel) franchise and Juniper Pharma Services, which offers high-end fee-for-service pharmaceutical development and clinical trials manufacturing to the customers.
Based in Somerset, New Jersey, Catalent provides advanced delivery technologies and development solutions for drugs, biologics and consumer health products.