WuXi Biologics in Two Deals with Pfizer, CMAB Biopharma in China

On March 18, 2021 WuXi Biologics, a contract biologics manufacturer, reported that it is increasing its position in China with two separate deals: an agreement to acquire Pfizer’s biologics drug-substance and drug-product manufacturing facilities in Hangzhou, China, and a separate agreement to acquire a more than 90% interest in CMAB Biopharma, a biologics CDMO headquartered in Suzhou, China (Press release, WuXi Biologics, MAR 18, 2021, View Source [SID1234576923]).

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Pfizer’s 50,000-m2 facilities, operational since 2018, include drug-substance capacities equipped with 2 x 2,000-L single-use bioreactors expandable to 4 x 2,000-L and drug-product capacities for vial filling and pre-filled syringes. The agreement includes the associated workforce of the facilities.

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2021. Production at the facilities is expected to commence shortly after the deal closure.

Separately, WuXi Biologics has entered into a purchase agreement with CBC Group, a healthcare-dedicated investment firm, under which WuXi Bio will acquire more than a 90% interest in CMAB Biopharma.

CMAB, which has more than 250 employees, provides cell-line development, process development, and GMP clinical manufacturing services. The deal will allow WuXi Biologics to increase 7,000-L drug-substance capacity and drug-product capacity for liquid and lyophilized products.

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021.

Overall, WuXi Biologics has total biopharmaceutical production capacity planned in China, Ireland, the US, Germany, and Singapore exceeding 300,000 liters after 2023.