Biotage has entered into an agreement to acquire all outstanding shares in the privately held company ATDBio, based in Oxford and Southampton, UK, for a total purchase price of approximately £45m.
The acquisition of ATDBio adds important platform solutions to Biotage within DNA and RNA oligonucleotide synthesis and purification. This technology is used for applications in drug discovery, molecular diagnostics (such as PCR testing), nucleic acid-based therapeutics and new generation DNA and RNA sequencing technologies.
Acquiring the British company is expected to significantly expand and strengthen Biotage as a leading life science tool and impact tech service provider. ATDBio was founded by Professor Tom Brown Sr, a recognised expert in nucleic acid chemistry, in 2004.
ATDBio’s expertise in highly complex DNA and RNA production will provide Biotage with market access and know-how in the rapidly growing DNA and RNA oligonucleotide sector. This market is currently driven by demand for high-quality DNA and RNA molecules and other oligonucleotide analogues in light of the Coronavirus pandemic, plus the potential of other nucleic-acid based therapeutics, vaccines and molecular diagnostics.
Tomas Blomquist, CEO and President of Biotage, said: “We are very happy to welcome ATDBio into the Biotage Group family. Our companies are highly complementary and share the same vision to shape future science and the discoveries of tomorrow. Step-by-step, Biotage is broadening its chemical modality platforms and portfolio offering.
“Starting from peptide purification and higher-volume small molecule research, we have already expanded into lipid purification for use in mRNA vaccines as well as DNA plasmid purification including viral purification for gene therapy. Now we are moving into the attractive new oligonucleotide market.”
Dr Tom Brown Jr, Director of ATDBio, said: “ATDBio is very proud to become part of the Biotage family, which shares our passion for innovation, customer focus and sustainability. With our deep understanding of nucleic acid chemistry, we can ensure superior quality oligonucleotide synthesis, and supply highly pure products.
“We make oligonucleotides for a broad range of academic and commercial customers, including some of the most significant biotech and pharma companies globally. We will now be able to scale up even further thanks to the global presence and world-leading separation science expertise of Biotage.
“We will continue to innovate, helping our customers to bring the next generation of nucleic acid molecular diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics to the market.”
