Thermo Fisher buys Novasep viral vector manufacturing business

Expanded global capacity addresses growing demand for cell and gene therapy

Novasep’s viral vector manufacturing business, which has an estimated 2020 revenue of €80 million (or approximately $95 million), provides contract manufacturing services for vaccines and therapies to biotechnology companies and large biopharma customers.

The transaction will endow Thermo with two facilities — one in Seneffe, the other in Gosselies — offering more than 7,000 m2 of clinical and commercial manufacturing capacity, as well as approximately 400 employees with operational and technical expertise in a broad range of viral vector classes .

Thermo Fisher executive vice president, Michel Lagarde, described Novasep's viral vector business as an "excellent strategic fit" for Thermo as the company continues to expand its capabilities for cell and gene vaccines and therapies globally.

The additional Europe-based manufacturing capabilities will complement Thermo's four development and manufacturing sites in North America.

"The combination will benefit our global customers seeking support and capacity in the region as well as European customers bringing new medicines to patients inside and outside of Europe," said Michel Lagarde.

The business will be part of the Pharma Services business within the Laboratory Products and Services Segment.