Life sciences firm adds antibodies to its portfolio

SOUTH Wales life sciences firm BBI Group, whose customers include world-leading diagnostic and healthcare organisations, has agreed to acquire American antibody firm Maine Biotechnology Services (MBS).

It comes after BBI announced in February a consolidation and expansion of its UK manufacturing operations to a single site in Crumlin in a £8.5m investment supported by the Welsh Government. The investment will create at least 50 new jobs in south Wales. And the company’s workforce is projected to double from the current 180 to 366 by 2020.

MBS will add antibody development to BBI’s capability and the range of products it provides to the diagnostic, healthcare and research food sectors globally.

BBI Group chief executive Lyn Rees said: “The acquisition of MBS perfectly complements our current product portfolio and coincides with our commercial team expansion, giving us important new technology and products.

“We are very excited about future growth potential for the business. We expect to develop new products for our customers and directly for BBI, and I am hugely excited by the opportunity to increase the services we provide for our customers.”

Dr Joseph Chandler, founder and president of MBS, said: “The BBI Group was aware of our reputation in the market for high-quality antibody products services. They currently have no capacity for antibody development and manufacture and, with a waiting customer base for this, MBS is a logical addition to their business. They are on an ambitious growth plan and I know that MBS will be a key part of their future plans.”

The completion of the acquisition is expected to finalised at the end of the month. The value of the deal has not been disclosed.