Intrexon Corporation, a synthetic biology company, has acquired state-of-the-art laboratory operations in Budapest, Hungary from Codexis, Inc., a developer of biocatalysts for the pharmaceutical and complex chemistry industries.
The acquisition will expand Intrexon’s strain and protein development capabilities, as well as strengthen fermentation process optimization and scale-up. Through the agreement, Intrexon’s Industrial Products Division (IPD) will absorb the Budapest laboratory staff of experienced scientific professionals. Integration of the Budapest team and their expertise with Intrexon’s suite of synthetic biology technologies and capabilities will allow Intrexon to better serve current collaborators and to attract new opportunities for active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and industrial and consumer product collaborations.
Intrexon’s IPD is positioned to develop biologically based solutions across sectors – Health, Food, Energy, Environment, and Consumer – including bioproduction of APIs, for example novel anti-infectives, as well as engineering microbial biocatalysts for chemical and fuel production.
“The expansion affords Intrexon greater flexibility in existing collaborations including Amneal, Johnson & Johnson, and Oragenics and positions the Company to meet demand from international collaborators,” said Robert F. Walsh, President of Intrexon’s Industrial Products Division. “We are pleased to integrate the Budapest team into Intrexon and look forward to their immediate contributions.” “The state-of-the-art industrial development facility and team we have acquired not only expands our current IPD operations, but its location in Budapest will enable us to continue growing our interests abroad and strengthen our ability to service the European and Asian markets,” added Peter Seufer-Wasserthal, Ph.D., Vice President of Business Development for Europe and Asia.