Xcellerex’ products have reportedly been used in more than 20 therapeutic proteins and vaccines.
GE Healthcare is taking over Xcellerex, a supplier of biomanufacturing technologies. The company says that the acquisition will allow it to expand its offerings for the production of recombinant proteins, antibodies, and vaccines. To date, more than 20 therapeutic proteins and vaccines have reportedly been manufactured for clinical trials using Xcellerex technology.
Xcellerex develops and produces biomanufacturing systems and production-scale bioreactors based around single-use components. Such products offer advantages such as faster installation, lower capital investment, reduced risk of cross-contamination, and increased flexibility compared with traditional manufacturing technologies.
For example, Xcellerex’ FlexFactory® is a modular platform based on single-use technologies. Through its BridgeSourcing™ services, Xcellerex manufactures a partner’s biomolecules while the partner prepares for commissioning of its own new FlexFactory. When the partner’s facility is ready, Xcellerex deploys its TransPlant™ process to install, validate, and train partner personnel in their own FlexFactory. Xcellerex also leverages its single-use technologies through the sale of XDR bioreactors, XDM Quad Mixers, and related single-use assemblies.
Xcellerex’ production-scale single-use bioreactor systems are complementary to GE Healthcare’s products and range of media for cell culture. “GE Healthcare has built a world-class set of tools, technologies, and services for the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry, and by adding Xcellerex’ innovative products to our portfolio, we will be able to strongly enhance our customer offering,” remarks Dr. Nigel Darby, vp of BioTechnologies and chief technology officer, GE Healthcare Life Sciences.
Guy Broadbent, president and CEO of Xcellerex, adds, “The integration of Xcellerex’ products with GE Healthcare’s complementary capabilities in upstream and downstream bioprocessing will help bring great benefits to our customers.”
GE last made an acquisition in the bioprocessing sement in August 2011, when it picked up PAA Laboratories. The deal expanded GE’s product and service offerings for cell biology research and for the discovery and manufacture of biopharmaceuticals. PAA Laboratories develops and manufactures specialized and innovative cell culture products such as media, sera, growth supplements, and reagents.