The life science group Sartorius, through its subgroup Sartorius Stedim Biotech, has acquired a majority stake in the reagent manufacturer CellGenix GmbH.

• Portfolio expanded by cell culture components, such as growth factors, cytokines, and media
• CellGenix site in Freiburg to be expanded into a center of excellence for the development and production of cell culture components

The company based in Freiburg, Germany, and with a sales subsidiary near the biotechnology hub in Boston, Massachusetts USA, produces and markets cell culture components, such as growth factors, cytokines and media in GMP quality for manufacturing cell and gene therapy products.

Sartorius has initially acquired 51 percent of this company, which has been privately owned until now, for around 100 million euros in cash. At the beginning of 2023 and 2026, Sartorius plans to acquire the remaining shares of CellGenix. Founded in 1994 at the University Medical Center of Freiburg, CellGenix currently employs some 70 people and generated sales of more than 20 million euros in 2020, achieving a very significant double-digit EBITDA margin.

“CellGenix has an excellent reputation on the market and brings in high technological expertise and considerable regulatory experience in one of the fastest-growing fields of the biopharma sector. Together, we will support our customers even better in fast-tracking their drug candidates efficiently through the various steps in the development of medicines so that innovative therapies can reach patients faster,” said René Fáber, member of the Executive Board for the Bioprocess Solutions Division of Sartorius.

“For us, Sartorius is an ideal partner with a highly complementary product portfolio that will accelerate our development with its global sales team, enabling us to usher in our next phase of growth,” added Felicia Rosenthal, CEO and co-founder of CellGenix.

Sartorius plans to expand the Freiburg site substantially and to establish it as a center of excellence within the group in the areas of development and manufacture of quality critical raw materials for the cell and gene therapy market.