Madison-based biotechnology company Primorigen Biosciences has been acquired by Nucleus Biologics, a provider of precision cell culture solutions.
Headquartered in San Diego, Nucleus Biologics provides products for the cell and gene therapy industry. With the acquisition of Primorigen’s portfolio of cell culture technology, Nucleus Biologics says the company will be able to strengthen its role in “feeding life science research,” from discovery to cure.
Primorigen — which provides biotechnology research and manufacturing — uses proprietary recombinant human protein production technology that allows scientists to create cell culture ecosystems that promote cell growth, and can be traced and reproduced, all factors necessary for life science research. The products are used for growing human cells and other gene therapies, and reduces research preparation time from days to minutes, according to the company.
In an article for the University of Wisconsin - Madison last year, Primorigen CEO, Chuck Oehler, explained the company’s products supply the growing stem cell industry with solutions that “enable researchers to work with stem cells outside of their natural environment” — such as in a lab — including for scientists at clinics conducting experimental treatments, those creating cells used for drug screening, and for stem cell research.
Nucleus Biologics CEO, David Sheehan, said creating controlled cellular environments is essential to the company’s mission.
“We are excited to build on the work of the Primorigen team and support our new customers, distributors and suppliers,” said David Sheehan, president and CEO of Nucleus Biologics. “If we truly want to speed science, we will need to provide complete, characterized and disclosed ecosystems. If we can ultimately lower the cost [to culture cells], we can make these therapies more available to patients in need."
“The exceptionally strong fit of the Nucleus and Primorigen product portfolios provide a compelling value proposition for customers seeking more complete solutions for cell biology research and production,” said Oehler, Primorigen CEO, who co-founded the company in 2005.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
