Cytiva acquired Vanrx Pharmasystems, a Canadian company that makes robotic aseptic filling machines to fill vials, syringes, and cartridges. The deal marks the first acquisition by Cytiva.
“Since becoming a Danaher operating company in April 2020, we have already begun fueling innovation and re-investing in the business for the benefit of our customers and their patients,” says Emmanuel Ligner, president and CEO of Cytiva. “We are thrilled to welcome the Vanrx associates to our family and look forward to working together on delivering meaningful solutions for biomanufacturers.”
The Vanrx portfolio complements Cytiva’s manufacturing capacity solutions, according to Ligner, adding that while great progress has until now focused on drug substances, this innovation is focused on drug product, which he calls a “critical last step” before distribution to patients.
Global trends toward smaller batches and personalized therapies are changing the growing $300 billion biologics market, notes BioPlan and Associates in its 17th Annual Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Capacity and Production study (April 2020).
“Cytiva becomes the first ‘idea to injection’ biotechnology company by bringing Vanrx into our already strong portfolio,” says Olivier Loeillot, vice president and head of bioprocess. “From drug development, through drug substance and now into drug product, we can help biomanufacturers bring their therapies to patients faster. Vanrx will enhance Cytiva FlexFactory platforms and KUBio modular facilities, enabling us to accelerate biomanufacturing from start to finish.”
Vanrx’s flagship products are SA25 Aseptic Filling Workcell and Microcell Vial Filler, which automate aseptic filling using robotics within closed, gloveless isolators. Such standardized, flexible systems provide a fast and certain path to filling capacity as the final step in manufacturing clinical and commercial biopharmaceuticals, continues Loeillot.
