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The Hindu
8 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Zydus to acquire 2 biologics manufacturing units in U.S. from Agenus for $125 million
Zydus Lifesciences plans to acquire Nasdaq-listed clinical-stage immuno-oncology firm Agenus's two biologics manufacturing facilities in California, U.S. for $125 million to enter the global biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) business. The move enables it to leverage supply chain dynamics and a favourable geopolitical environment to expand reach in the U.S. and globally. The facilities in Emeryville and Berkeley will be acquired for an upfront consideration of $75 million and contingent payment of $50 million, to be paid over three years subject to achievement of certain revenue milestone. Zydus said the acquisition, through a subsidiary, will provide access to advanced biologics manufacturing capabilities and establish a key presence in the leading global biotechnology hub of California. Also as a part of the transaction Zydus will become an exclusive contract manufacturer for Agenus and provide manufacturing services for clinical and commercial supply of two identified Phase-3 ready immuno-oncology products, Botensilimab (BOT) and Balstilimab (BAL). Zydus will also have first right of negotiation to manufacture any of the future pipeline products developed by Agenus. Create jobs, spur local economy With the acquisition Zydus will become a one stop solution provider across the entire development spectrum of biologics, from pre-clinical to toxicology studies, clinical development to manufacturing. Zydus said it intends to further expand the team and help create new jobs in the region and contribute to the local economy. Zydus' CDMO business will operate as an independent entity and will house the acquired manufacturing capabilities. 'The acquisition will give Zydus a strategic foothold in the U.S. for biologics manufacturing in the global hub for biotech innovation, California. It will enhance our ability to partner with innovation-centric entities, advancing new products and prioritizing patient-centric solutions,' MD Sharvil Patel said. In a parallel development, Zydus Lifesciences has entered into a definitive agreement with Agenus Inc. to secure exclusive commercial rights for India and Sri Lanka for BOT and BAL.
Mint
8 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Zydus buys Agenus' biologics plants in US for $125 mn, licenses cancer therapy
Zydus Lifesciences announced on Tuesday it is acquiring two biologics contract manufacturing facilities in California from US-based Agenus Inc for a total consideration of up to $125 million. The deal includes an upfront payment of $75 million, with the remaining $50 million to be paid over the following three years. The Ahmedabad-based pharmaceutical firm said the acquisition will establish its presence in the rapidly-expanding global biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) sector. Zydus is also acquiring a 5.9% stake in Agenus for $16 million, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Zynext Ventures USA LLC, it said in an exchange filing on Tuesday. The drugmaker has also entered into a licensing agreement with Agenus to commercialise its investigational Botensilimab (BOT) and Balstilimab (BAL) combination therapy in India and Sri Lanka. Agenus is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company committed to developing immune therapies against cancer. The move to acquire biologics manufacturing facilities in the US aligns with Zydus' strategic focus on biologics as a key growth driver this year. Also Read: Glenmark-Ichnos cancer drug shows 74% response in phase-1 trial "The acquisition will give Zydus a strategic foothold in the US for biologics manufacturing in the global hub for biotech innovation, California," managing director Sharvil Patel said in a statement. 'This move strengthens our long-term biologics vision and positions us to better serve the evolving needs of the global biopharmaceutical industry," he added. Additionally, the acquisition gives the company a stronger manufacturing presence in the US, amid ongoing uncertainties over potential American tariffs on pharmaceutical imports. In the company's earnings call last month, Patel had said the company is evaluating opportunities for local manufacturing in the US. 'We have committed to making a good amount of investments in the US with our foray into specialty and other areas," he told investors. Exclusive manufacturer to Agenus Under the terms of the agreement, Zydus will acquire two modern biologics manufacturing facilities from Agenus in Emeryville and Berkeley, California, for an upfront consideration of $75 million and contingent payment of $50 million to be paid over three years subject to achievement of certain revenue milestone. The acquisition provides Zydus immediate access to advanced biologics manufacturing capabilities and a foothold in California, a leading global biotech hub. The move also enables Zydus to 'leverage supply chain dynamics and a favourable geopolitical environment to expand its reach in the U.S. and globally," it said in the release. Also Read: KKR provides $600 mn financing to Manipal Group to fuel its corporate expansion The CDMO business will operate as an independent entity and will house the acquired manufacturing capabilities. As part of the transaction, Zydus will become the exclusive contract manufacturer for Agenus, and provide manufacturing services for the clinical and commercial supply of two identified Phase-3 ready immuno-oncology products - Botensilimab and Balstilimab. Zydus will also have the first right of negotiation to manufacture any of the future pipeline products by Agenus. Agenus reported a turnover of $103.46 million in 2024, according to the exchange filing. Agenus' lead programme comprising Botensilimab and Balstilimab is a next-generation immunotherapy platform designed to strengthen and sustain the immune system's response against tumour cells. The platform, which is currently in advanced clinical trials, has demonstrated significant clinical activity across nine cancer types in more than 1,200 patients, including both late-stage and patients who have undergone neoadjuvant, or primary, therapy. As part of the licensing agreement inked with Agenus, Zydus will be responsible for clinical development and regulatory approvals of the licensed products in India and Sri Lanka and will pay 5% royalty on net sales upon successful approval and commercialization. Also Read: Young heirs take charge as Indian pharma firms plan succession Zydus will expand the reach of the therapy within its initial indications, as well as drive its expansion into other high unmet need indications and earlier lines of treatment, including primary treatments, the company said.
Business Standard
8 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Zydus to Enter Global Biologics CDMO Business Plans to Acquire Agenus' U.S. Manufacturing Facilities to Accelerate Development of Innovative Therapies
BusinessWire India New Jersey [US]/ Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 3: Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. (including its subsidiaries/affiliates, hereafter referred to as "Zydus) today announced its entry into the global biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) business through its plan to acquire Agenus Inc.'s (Nasdaq: AGEN) U.S.-based biologics CMC facilities. This acquisition marks Zydus' strategic investment in U.S.-based manufacturing for biologics thereby adding a sustainable growth driver for the group. Agenus Inc. is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company committed to developing immune therapies that effectively combat cancer. Under the terms of the agreement, Zydus will acquire two state-of-the-art biologics manufacturing facilities from Agenus in Emeryville and Berkeley, California (US) for an upfront consideration of US$75 million and contingent payment of US$50 million to be paid over three years subject to achievement of certain revenue milestone. This acquisition provides Zydus immediate access to advanced biologics manufacturing capabilities and establishes a key presence in California, a leading global biotechnology hub. This strategic move enables Zydus to leverage supply chain dynamics and a favourable geopolitical environment to expand its reach in the U.S. and globally. With this acquisition Zydus will now become a one stop solution provider across the entire development spectrum of biologics, right from pre-clinical to toxicology studies, clinical development and now manufacturing. Zydus' CDMO business will operate as an independent entity and will house the acquired manufacturing capabilities. The facilities come with an experienced professional team with strong capabilities and requisite industry expertise to deliver high-quality biologics development and manufacturing services to global biotech and pharmaceutical companies. As a part of transaction Zydus will become an exclusive contract manufacturer for Agenus and will provide manufacturing services for clinical and commercial supply of two identified Phase-3 ready immuno-oncology products, Botensilimab (BOT) and Balstilimab (BAL). Zydus will also have first right of negotiation to manufacture any of the future pipeline products developed by Agenus. Zydus intends to further expand the team and help create new jobs in the region and contribute to the local economy. Speaking on the development, Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. said, "The acquisition will give Zydus a strategic foothold in the U.S. for biologics manufacturing in the global hub for biotech innovation, California. It will enhance our ability to partner with innovation-centric entities, advancing new products and prioritizing patient-centric solutions. This move strengthens our long-term biologics vision and positions us to better serve the evolving needs of the global biopharmaceutical industry." The global biologics CDMO market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing complexity of therapies, the rise of biologics in clinical pipelines, and a growing number of emerging biotech companies lacking internal manufacturing capabilities. According to the Global Biologics CDMO Market Size is expected to be worth around US$ 84.9 Billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 15.7% between 2025 to 2034. As demand surges for reliable, agile, and scalable partners, Zydus' entry into this space positions it to tap into significant long-term growth opportunities and support innovation across the global biopharmaceutical landscape.
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Business Standard
9 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Zydus signs deal with Agenus for BOT and BAL cancer therapies in India
Zydus Lifesciences Limited has signed a definitive agreement with Agenus Inc. to acquire commercial rights for India and Sri Lanka for the investigational combination therapy Botensilimab (BOT) and Balstilimab (BAL). Agenus is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company focused on developing immune therapies for the treatment of cancer. 'Our licensing partnership with Agenus aligns with Zydus' overarching biologics vision and our aim to advance novel solutions for high-unmet need areas,' said Dr Sharvil Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences. The BOT and BAL combination is a next-generation immunotherapy platform aimed at enhancing and sustaining the immune system's ability to respond to tumour cells. BOT is an investigational anti-CTLA-4 antibody designed to activate immune cells and generate durable immune responses. BAL is an investigational anti-PD-1 antibody that blocks the PD-1 pathway, thereby supporting T cell activity against cancer cells. This combination is currently in advanced clinical trials and has shown clinical activity in more than 1,200 patients across nine types of cancer, including colorectal cancer, melanoma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The trials cover both late-stage and neoadjuvant (pre-surgery) treatment settings. Under the terms of the agreement, Zydus will be responsible for clinical development and regulatory approvals of the licensed products in India and Sri Lanka. Upon successful approval and commercialisation, Zydus will pay a 5 per cent royalty on net sales. 'Agenus' robust pipeline and research in immuno-oncology, along with Zydus' reach as the largest Indian oncology player, mark a significant step forward in our collective fight against cancer. We are confident that this collaboration will bring transformative therapies to patients who need them most in the India and Sri Lanka markets,' Dr Patel added. Zydus also stated its intention to broaden the use of the BOT and BAL combination therapy beyond current indications. The company aims to expand into other high-unmet-need indications, earlier lines of treatment, and additional neoadjuvant applications. CDMO agreement In a parallel development, Zydus Lifesciences announced its entry into the global biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) sector through an agreement to acquire the biologics CMC facilities of Nasdaq-listed Agenus Inc. in the United States. As part of the CDMO agreement, Zydus will purchase two biologics manufacturing sites located in Emeryville and Berkeley, California, for an upfront payment of $75 million. An additional $50 million will be paid over a period of three years, contingent on the achievement of specified revenue milestones. estimates the global biologics CDMO market will reach approximately $84.9 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.7 per cent from 2025 to 2034.
Cision Canada
10 hours ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Zynext Ventures acquires stake in Agenus, expands its immuno-oncology pipeline and global reach
Enables Agenus to accelerate development of its lead BOT/BAL programme and strategically expand into high-unmet need indications and earlier lines of treatment. The investment underscores Zynext Ventures' commitment to advancing innovation in critical therapeutic areas. PENNINGTON, N.J., June 3, 2025 /CNW/ -- Zynext Ventures USA LLC (Zynext), the venture capital arm of Zydus Lifesciences (Zydus), today announced its investment in Agenus Inc., a leading US-based immuno-oncology company developing next-generation therapeutics for high-unmet need cancers. Agenus' lead programme comprising Botensilimab (BOT) and Balstilimab (BAL), is a next-generation immunotherapy platform designed to strengthen and sustain the immune system's response against tumour cells. Currently in advanced clinical trials, BOT/BAL have demonstrated significant clinical activity across nine cancer types in more than 1,200 patients, including both late-stage and neoadjuvant settings. "Our investment in Agenus aligns perfectly with our vision to advance life-changing therapies and offer novel solutions anchored on science, innovation and health to empower patients," said Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences. "Our extensive global partner network will also play a key role in supporting Agenus' entry into new indications and geographies, allowing these innovative therapies to reach more patients, faster. This collaboration will help propel Agenus' programmes and unlock their full potential." In addition to capital, Zynext Ventures will bring deep expertise in data analytics and access to a broad global network of biotech, regulatory, and clinical partners. This synergistic approach aims to unlock new avenues for Agenus, enabling the company to broaden the application of its BOT/BAL programme into earlier lines of treatment and address a wider spectrum of cancers with significant unmet medical needs. Dr. Garo Armen, Chairman and CEO of Agenus, said, "We are delighted to partner with Zynext Ventures in a truly synergistic relationship. BOT/BAL's remarkable results across nine distinct cancers, in both late-stage and neoadjuvant settings, inspire us to push the boundaries of what is possible in oncology. Zydus' commercial reach and expertise make them an ideal partner to accelerate the delivery of this potentially transformative therapy." About Zynext Ventures Zynext Ventures is the investment arm of Zydus Lifesciences. The venture capital firm focuses on identifying and investing in promising early-stage and growth-stage companies in the healthcare sector. Zynext Ventures provides financial support, strategic guidance, and industry expertise to its portfolio companies, helping them achieve their full potential and make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients. About Zydus Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. with an overarching purpose of empowering people with freedom to live healthier and more fulfilled lives, is an innovative, global lifesciences company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets a broad range of healthcare therapies. The group employs 27,000 people worldwide, including 1,400 scientists engaged in R & D, and is driven by its mission to unlock new possibilities in lifesciences through quality healthcare solutions that impact lives. The group aspires to transform lives through path-breaking discoveries. Over the last decade, Zydus has introduced several innovative, first-in-class products in the market for treating unmet healthcare needs with vaccines, therapeutics, biologicals and biosimilars. For more details visit: LinkedIn: @Zydusuniverse Instagram: @ZydusUniverse About Agenus Agenus Inc. is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company committed to developing immune therapies that effectively combat cancer. Leveraging proprietary scientific platforms, the company's pipeline includes multiple checkpoint antibody candidates, vaccines, and cell therapies. Headquartered in Lexington, MA, Agenus operates globally, driving innovations to bring better cancer treatments to patients. For more details visit: Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the planned collaboration, the development and commercialization of BOT/BAL, and anticipated timelines. Actual results may differ due to various risks and uncertainties, including regulatory approvals and other factors. Readers are encouraged to review each company's public filings for additional information regarding potential risks and timelines.
