Maravai LifeSciences, a transformative company in the life science research market, announced today that it has acquired Cygnus Technologies, the leading assay and services provider for the detection and characterization of impurities in biopharmaeuticals. The acquisition fits with Maravai LifeSciences’ goal of creating a market-leading life science business by bringing investment, strong and experienced leadership, processes and best practice to companies with notable growth potential.
Impurity testing is a critical step in the development of biotherapeutic products, which are complex molecules created in living hosts. These large-molecule products are injectable and must be extremely pure. Impurity testing is a key step in securing FDA approval, as well as in ongoing manufacturing quality control. Recent developments in the field include using orthogonal methods to go beyond detection to the measurement and characterization of the impurities. Cygnus effectively created the biotherapeutics impurity testing field as the pioneer in analytical test kits and ongoing development of related products and services.
“We are investing in companies like Cygnus Technologies that have exceptional products, a history of success and outstanding growth possibilities,” explains David Weber, vice president and chief commercial officer for Maravai LifeSciences. “The field of biotherapeutics, along with biosimilars, is growing rapidly. We have a strong management team with extensive experience in the life science tools market, which we bring to the companies we acquire.”
Maravai LifeSciences was formed in 2014 as a partnership between Carl Hull, Eric Tardif and GTCR private equity firm. Maravai’s mission is to build a transformative company in the life sciences tool and in vitro diagnostics markets by acquiring outstanding businesses in these spaces and accelerating their growth.
Cygnus Technologies develops, manufactures and markets assay kits and related services that enable pharmaceutical and biotech companies to detect and identify host cell impurities in biotherapeutics, an important step in regulatory approval and quality control processes. With products, services and expert advice, Cygnus helps biopharmaceutical companies move new therapeutics more quickly through the development and approval stages to market. With headquarters in Southport, NC, Cygnus Technologies serves customers worldwide through a global distributor network.
Jennifer Dahlgren
Dahlgren Communications
(530) 263-6817
[email protected]
David Weber, Chief Commercial Officer
Maravai LifeSciences
(650) 697-3600
[email protected]