Vigene Biosciences, Inc. was founded in 2012 to provide services and products to support the rapidly growing field of gene therapy. At the time, adenovirus was the primary viral vector used, so Vigene developed cloning technologies to generate the largest collection of full-length human open reading frames packaged in adenovirus. Over the next few years, different viral vectors became more widely used for research, so Vigene expanded its viral packaging and cloning services to include the major viral vectors being used for gene delivery (AAV, adenovirus, lentivirus, and retrovirus). Vigene also diversified its product portfolio to include control viruses, shRNA clones, biosensors, and Parkinson’s disease tools. In 2016, Vigene acquired Omnia Biologics with its 15+ years of clinical manufacturing experience in response to the growing need for high titer, clinical-grade viral vectors as gene therapy candidates progressed to clinical trials. Since then, Vigene has continued to serve both research and clinical communities and has been recognized with national awards. Currently Vigene operates a 110,00 sq ft state-of-the-art facility with over 15 GMP cleanroom suites.
WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2021-- Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Vigene Biosciences, Inc., a premier, U.S.-based gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) providing viral vector-based gene delivery solutions. The purchase price is expected to be $292.5 million in cash, subject to customary closing adjustments. In addition to the initial purchase price, the transaction includes contingent additional payments of up to $57.5 million based on future performance. The transaction is expected to close in the beginning of the third quarter of 2021, subject to regulatory requirements and customary closing conditions.