Wacker Buys Dutch Biotechnology Plant

Wacker Chemie AG has acquired a Dutch site for manufacturing biopharmaceuticals, live microbial products and vaccines, plus the associated business, from SynCo Bio Luxembourg for an undisclosed amount.

"This strategic acquisition is a key step for our ongoing expansion in the high-growth biopharmaceuticals market," said Auguste Willems, a member of Wacker's executive board. "The new plant will enable us to satisfy robust market demand today and in the coming years and to strengthen our position as a leading contract manufacturer of microbial-derived biopharmaceutical proteins."

Founded in 2000, SynCo Bio Partners has roughly 110 employees and operates two fermentation lines with current capacities of 1,500 and 270 liters. These lines manufacture microbial-derived biopharmaceuticals, not only for clinical testing, but also for the commercial market. There is a further line of single-use fermenters, which provides additional and flexible production capabilities. SynCo's service offering is rounded out with a "fill and finish" facility, which enables the complete manufacture of pharmaceuticals from the active agent to the filled product. The facilities meet Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) quality standards, and they have already been inspected by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and approved for the manufacture of specific pharmaceutical proteins.

"Expanding our production capacity strengthens our market position sustainably," said Gerhard Schmid, president, Wacker Biosolutions. "The additional fermentation lines double our current capacity, which increases our ability to produce key pharmaceuticals cost effectively, using advanced microbial techniques. We look forward to continuing the comprehensive support for SynCo's existing customers, while also offering them the proprietary technologies of Wacker Biotech. The acquisition will significantly expand our portfolio of technologies and services."

Wacker said SynCo's expertise in manufacturing live microbial biopharmaceuticals is a valuable complement to its know-how as a full-service supplier. Live microbial products represent a promising new class of actives, offering innovative therapies for serious illnesses and new vaccines against cholera, for example.