Altaris to Acquire U.S. and U.K. Cell Therapy Business from WuXi AppTec
New York, NY – Altaris, LLC (collectively with its managed funds, “Altaris”), a U.S. based investment firm, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the U.S. and U.K. operations of WuXi AppTec’s Advanced Therapies Unit (“Advanced Therapies”). The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions and receipt of required regulatory approvals. Following the closing of the transaction, Advanced Therapies will be renamed and headquartered in the United States, operating as a fully owned portfolio company of Altaris.
Advanced Therapies offers customers a complete cell therapy outsourcing solution, including viral vector manufacturing, cell therapy process development and manufacturing, and biosafety testing. Advanced Therapies has a long history of partnering with biopharmaceutical companies to accelerate time-to-market for groundbreaking cell therapies, including being the first contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) approved by the FDA to manufacture T cell therapy for solid tumor cancers. In 2021, Advanced Therapies acquired OXGENE to expand its range of research and development capabilities, including proprietary plasmid discovery (SnapFast™), Adeno-Associated Virus vector (TESSA®) and lentiviral vector (XOFLX™) manufacturing processes. Advanced Therapies operates five facilities across the U.S. and U.K.
This transaction builds on Altaris’ strategic initiative in the cell therapy sector, which is focused on delivering life-changing therapies to patients at scale. With a 20+ year track record as an owner of healthcare companies, including 11 manufacturers in the pharmaceutical industry, Altaris is well-positioned to support Advanced Therapies over its next phase of growth.
Advisors
Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal counsel for Altaris. J.P. Morgan served as financial advisor, and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati acted as legal advisor, to WuXi AppTec.
About Altaris
Altaris is an investment firm with an exclusive focus on acquiring and building companies in the healthcare industry. Since its inception in 2003, Altaris has invested in more than 50 companies across a range of healthcare subsectors, with a consistent goal of delivering value to the healthcare system and generating attractive financial returns for investors. Altaris is headquartered in New York City and manages $10 billion of equity capital. For more information, please visit www.altariscap.com.
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