Latest news with #Zydus
Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Zydus announces plan to acquire US manufacturing units of Agenus Inc
Zydus Lifesciences on Tuesday announced its plan to acquire Agenus Inc's US-based biologics CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control) facilities, marking the Gujarat-based firm's entry into the global biologics contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) business. Agenus Inc. is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing immune therapies, which effectively combat cancer. Zydus, in a statement, said it is set to acquire two biologics manufacturing facilities, located in Emeryville and Berkeley, California, for an upfront consideration of USD 75 million and contingent payment of USD 50 million to be paid over three years, 'subject to achievement of certain revenue milestones'. With this acquisition, Zydus claims it will become a one-stop solution provider across the entire development spectrum of biologics, right from preclinical to toxicology studies, clinical development and now manufacturing. Zydus's CDMO business will operate as an independent entity and will house the acquired manufacturing capabilities, according to the statement. Further, Zydus will also 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). In addition, Zydus will have the first right of negotiation to manufacture any of the future pipeline products developed by Agenus, the statement further read. Dr Sharvil Patel, Managing Director (MD) of Zydus Lifesciences, said, 'The acquisition will give Zydus a strategic foothold in the US 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 prioritising 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.'
Business Upturn
7 hours ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Agenus and Zydus Lifesciences Enter $141M Strategic Collaboration to Advance BOT/BAL, Expand Zydus' Biologics Manufacturing in the US
LEXINGTON, Mass., United States: $75M upfront payment to Agenus for the transfer of manufacturing assets $50M of contingent payments to Agenus Exclusive license for BOT/BAL in India and Sri Lanka $16M equity investment at $7.50 per share Agenus Inc. (Nasdaq: AGEN), a leader in immuno-oncology innovation, today announced it has signed definitive partnership agreements with Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. (NSE: ZYDUSLIFE), including its subsidiaries/affiliates, hereafter referred to as 'Zydus,' designed to accelerate clinical development, scale global manufacturing, and expand patient access to botensilimab and balstilimab (BOT/BAL). The strategic collaboration includes an exchange of Agenus' state-of-the-art biologics CMC facilities in Emeryville, CA and Berkeley, CA for upfront consideration of $75M; Agenus to receive up to an additional $50M in contingent payments triggered by BOT/BAL production orders. Zydus, an India-based multinational pharmaceutical company with over 27,000 employees and operations in 55 countries, will launch a BioCDMO business using the facilities as their flagship U.S. sites to provide biologics contract manufacturing services to biopharmaceutical companies globally. Agenus will become Zydus' first BioCDMO customer through an exclusive manufacturing agreement for BOT/BAL to ensure the combination regimen's BLA and launch readiness needs. This collaboration enables Agenus to unlock the value of its manufacturing assets and secure strategic capital to drive BOT/BAL toward global regulatory engagement and commercialization. Agenus will also grant Zydus an exclusive license to develop and commercialize BOT and BAL in India and Sri Lanka, capitalizing on Zydus' established local market presence and infrastructure. Zydus will pay Agenus a 5 percent royalty on net sales in those countries. In a demonstration of mutual commitment, Zydus will also make a strategic equity investment in Agenus by purchasing approximately 2.1 million shares of common stock at $7.50 per share, totaling approximately $16 million in gross proceeds. Agenus intends to apply the net proceeds from the sale of the purchased shares for working capital and general corporate purposes, and will accelerate ongoing clinical development, registration and potential commercialization of BOT/BAL. By uniting Agenus' pioneering research and development capabilities with Zydus' worldwide manufacturing, commercialization and operational strength, this partnership sets the stage for a new era in cancer immunotherapy in India and beyond. 'With a trade agreement between the United States and India seemingly imminent, there is a renewed sense of confidence by trading partners in both countries in the future of Indian-American relations,' said Dr. Garo Armen, CEO of Agenus. 'There is also a growing recognition by both countries of the need for the United States to ensure that biopharma supply chains are secure. We are working with Zydus to accelerate future clinical trials for BOT/BAL and eventually its global footprint in oncology therapeutics. This agreement is an expression of confidence in the future of Agenus and in the regulatory environment of the United States. The administration has created an environment that has brought these two trading partners together. The United States is the second largest trading partner with India. For these reasons and the strong collaborative spirit we feel with our new partners at Zydus, we decided to enter into this partnership now.' 'We are thrilled to be partnering with Agenus to advance BOT/BAL, which has the potential to benefit thousands of patients in our core markets of India and Sri Lanka annually and millions of solid tumor patients globally. We plan to run clinical trials testing BOT/BAL in both early-stage and late-stage disease, along with expansion beyond colorectal cancer to other major disease settings like triple negative breast cancer,' said Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director at Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and satisfactory due diligence. The parties aim to complete closing agreements within 60 days. Conference Call and Webcast Date/Time: Tuesday, June 3rd; 4:30 p.m. ET To access dial-in numbers, please register at: . Conference ID: 12788 Advisors As part of this effort, Agenus was advised by Biotech Value Advisors (BVA), a strategic advisory firm, which provided guidance on transaction structure, partner selection and negotiations. About Agenus Agenus is a leading immuno-oncology company targeting cancer with a comprehensive pipeline of immunological agents. The company was founded in 1994 with a mission to expand patient populations benefiting from cancer immunotherapy through combination approaches, using a broad repertoire of antibody therapeutics, adoptive cell therapies (through MiNK Therapeutics) and adjuvants (through SaponiQx). Agenus has robust end-to-end development capabilities, across commercial and clinical cGMP manufacturing facilities, research and discovery, and a global clinical operations footprint. Agenus is headquartered in Lexington, MA. For more information, visit or @agenus_bio. Information that may be important to investors will be routinely posted on our website and social media channels. About Zydus Lifesciences 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 over 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. For more details visit About Botensilimab (BOT) Botensilimab (BOT) is a human Fc enhanced CTLA-4 blocking antibody designed to boost both innate and adaptive anti-tumor immune responses. Its novel design leverages mechanisms of action to extend immunotherapy benefits to 'cold' tumors which generally respond poorly to standard of care or are refractory to conventional PD-1/CTLA-4 therapies and investigational therapies. Botensilimab augments immune responses across a wide range of tumor types by priming and activating T cells, downregulating intratumoral regulatory T cells, activating myeloid cells and inducing long-term memory responses. Approximately 1,200 patients have been treated with botensilimab and/or balstilimab in phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials. Botensilimab alone, or in combination with Agenus' investigational PD-1 antibody, balstilimab, has shown clinical responses across nine metastatic, late-line cancers. For more information about botensilimab trials, visit . About Balstilimab (BAL) Balstilimab is a novel, fully human monoclonal immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) designed to block PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) from interacting with its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2. It has been evaluated in >900 patients to date and has demonstrated clinical activity and a favorable tolerability profile in several tumor types. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding its botensilimab and balstilimab programs, expected regulatory timelines and filings, and any other statements containing the words 'may,' 'believes,' 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'hopes,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'forecasts,' 'estimates,' 'will,' 'establish,' 'potential,' 'superiority,' 'best in class,' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, the factors described under the Risk Factors section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2024, and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Agenus cautions investors not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Agenus undertakes no obligation to update or revise the statements, other than to the extent required by law. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. View source version on Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
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Business Standard
7 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Zydus enters biologics CDMO market with $125 million acquisitions
Zydus Lifesciences has announced its entry into the global biologics contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) market with a planned acquisition of two manufacturing facilities from US-based Agenus for up to $125 million (around ₹1,070 crore). Under the agreement, Zydus will acquire Agenus' biologics facilities in Emeryville and Berkeley, California, for an upfront payment of $75 million (₹642 crore). It will come with an additional $50 million (₹428 crore) payable over three years, contingent upon achieving certain revenue milestones. The acquisition gives Zydus immediate biologics manufacturing capabilities and a base in California, considered a major hub for biotechnology in the US. The company said the acquired facilities would allow it to offer end-to-end services from pre-clinical development through largescale commercial manufacturing. The CDMO business will be housed under a new independent entity. As part of the transaction, Zydus will also become the exclusive contract manufacturer for two of Agenus' late-stage immuno-oncology candidates, Botensilimab and Balstilimab. It will hold the first right of negotiation for future pipeline products. The acquired facilities include an experienced professional team, which Zydus plans to expand. The company said it expects to create additional jobs and contribute to the local economy of California. Sharvil Patel, managing director, Zydus Lifesciences, said, 'The acquisition will give Zydus a strategic foothold in the US and enhance our ability to partner with innovation-centric entities, advancing new products and prioritising patient-centric solutions. This move strengthens our long-term biologics vision and positions us to better serve the needs of the global biopharmaceutical industry.' According to estimates cited by Zydus, the global biologics CDMO market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.7 per cent between 2025 and 2034, reaching around $84.9 billion by 2034. The market's growth is being driven by increasing complexity of therapies, a shift towards biologics, and limited manufacturing infrastructure among small biotech companies.
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.
