The General Electric (GE) unit announced the acquisition of Biosafe last week, citing the large number of cell and gene-based cancer therapies being developed as the motivation for the investment.
Switzerland based BioSafe makes single-use cell processing and separation tech at its facility in Eysins.
The firm employs 85 people all of whom “will become GE employees in the Life Sciences cell therapy business” according to a spokesman.
He cited Biosafe’s portfolio single-use separation kits and its Sepax automated stem cell banking technology as specific drivers for the deal which he said “bring the GE Healthcare portfolio closer to an end-to-end offering for cell therapy workflows.”
“Biosafe diversifies GE’s presence with its leadership in the regenerative and cord blood banking space, as well as access to a broader range of cell types.”
More takeovers
GE is also on the look for other companies developing technologies for cell and gene therapy firm according to the spokesman.
He told us “this deal gets GE most of the way to end-to-end production of cell therapies for most of the therapies currently under production.
“GE will look to innovation partnerships, collaborations, and other growth opportunities to continue filling gaps and work towards the vision of a single-solution workflow for cell therapy.”