Week of May 21, 2012: FDA Approves BMS's New Bulk Biologics Manufacturing Facility; SGS Acquires Vitrology; and More

Bristol-Myers Squibb received FDA approval for its new bulk biologics manufacturing facility in Devens, Massachusetts, for commercial production of Orencia (abatacept). Construction of the Devens facility began in early 2007 and was subsequently completed in 2010. The company submitted the site for regulatory approval in early 2012. Read More

EQT, a Sweden-based private equity group, and Agilent Technologies have agreed to acquire Dako, a Denmark-based diagnostic company, for $2.2 billion. Dako provides antibodies, reagents, scientific instruments and software primarily to pathology laboratories for cancer diagnostics. Dako also collaborates with pharmaceutical companies to develop pharmacodiagnostics or companion diagnostics, which may be used to identify patients most likely to benefit from a specific targeted therapy. The acquisition is expected to close within the next two months and is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Read More

SGS has acquired Vitrology, a biopharmaceutical contract testing organization specializing in virology, cell and molecular biology, microbiology, and electron microscopy. The acquisition expands SGS’s Life Science Services global network to 19 laboratories. Read More

Industry Briefs:

A roundup of additional company and people news from pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies, their suppliers, and contract-service providers. Read More