With the acquisition, Thermo Fisher will expand its manufacturing capabilities for cell and gene therapies

architectural details of new Thermo Fisher Scientific HQ in Waltham, MA 02451

Thermo Fisher Scientific headquarters in Waltham. (Credit: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.)

Thermo Fisher Scientific has closed the acquisition of Henogen, a Belgium-based viral vector manufacturing business of Groupe Novasep (Novasep), for around €725m in cash.

With the acquisition, Thermo Fisher is expected to expand its global manufacturing capabilities for cell and gene vaccines, and gene therapies.

The viral vector manufacturing business will operate as part of the company’s Pharma Services business, under the Laboratory Products and Services Segment.

Thermo Fisher executive vice president Michel Lagarde said: “Novasep’s viral vector business is an excellent strategic fit as Thermo Fisher continues to expand its capabilities for cell and gene vaccines and therapies globally.

“The addition of their manufacturing capabilities in Europe complements our four development and manufacturing sites in North America. In addition, they bring an incredibly talented team with more than two decades of experience across a broad range of viral vectors.

“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.”

Novasep is engaged in providing manufacturing and purification solutions and technologies for the life sciences industry.

The firm offers process development, purification equipment, contract manufacturing and complex active molecule services for pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, chemical, and food industries.

Novasep’s viral vector manufacturing business Henogen offers contract manufacturing services for vaccines and therapies to biotechnology and biopharma firms.

The company said that Henogen has more than 7,000m2 of advanced clinical and commercial manufacturing capacity, with two locations in Seneffe and Gosselies, in Belgium.

The business has nearly 400 employees with significant operational and technical expertise in a wide range of viral vector classes and has generated an estimated revenue of €80m in 2020, said the company.

Novasep president and chief executive officer Michel Spagnol said: “Thermo Fisher is an outstanding partner for our viral vector business and its future development.

“Our diverse customer base will benefit from the combination of our viral vector services capabilities with the scale and capabilities of Thermo Fisher. Our talented employees will bring deep expertise to an organization that shares our commitment to providing ground-breaking new medicines to patients.”