Hitachi expands European reach in cell and gene therapy

Under the terms of the agreement, Hitachi will pay €75.5m to acquire all assets form apceth's shareholders Santo Holding GmbH (82.49%), FCP Biotech Holding GmbH (9.16%) and individual shareholders (8.35%). Hitachi's strategy is to take a foothold in all three relevant markets for cell-based cancer immune therapies, mesenchymal stem cell and induced pluripotent stem cells and gene therapy markets, the US, Europe, and Japan. 

In May 2017, following an US$19.4m investment, Hitachi acquired PCT LLC, a US-based contract manufacturer of regenerative medicine products with a 20-year track record and existing production sites at Mountain View and Allendale, which are currently expanded. In addition, in April 2018, the Tokio-based enterprise started operations at a new facility in Yokohama, Japan to provide contract development and manufacturing services for the development of regenerative medicine products. Under the acquisition of apceth, which is expected to close in April 2019, Hitachi acquires two manufacturing sites near Munich that produce compliantly to the European ATMP regulation. 

apceth Biopharma is a premier expert in the growing business of MSC-based treatment. Furthermore Apceth has a proven track-record in manufacturing of  cell based cancer immunotherapy, iPS cells, hematopoetic stem cells, cord blood stem cells, lymphocytes, and dendritic cells and gene therapy. In its GMP-compliant facilities, the company manufactures cell and gene therapy products for US-American and European clients.

“The addition of apceth Biopharma to Hitachi Chemical will strengthen our presence in the second-largest cell and gene therapy market in the world, and enable us to offer a truly harmonized global operation, providing our customers with ready access to new markets and maximizing the value we bring to the industry,” said Robert A. Preti, PhD, CEO and President of Hitachi Chemical Advanced Therapeutics Solutions, LLC and General Manager of the Hitachi Chemical Regenerative Medicine Business Sector.

“We are very pleased to become part of Hitachi Chemical.  This will allow us to supply patients around the world with highly needed innovative and high-quality cell and gene therapies,” said Christine Guenther, MD, CEO of apceth Biopharma.