WuXi Biologics, a global company with leading open-access biologics technology platforms, and Bayer, have announced an acquisition deal, under which WuXi Biologics will take over and operate the Drug Substance (DS) facility at Bayer's Wuppertal site.

The companies also plan to enter into a long-term sublease agreement and a transition service contract. The volume of the transaction, including the sublease agreement, amounts to approximately 150 million euros.  

The 30,000-square-meter DS facility (MFG19), including 3x1000L perfusion and 6x2000L fed-batch capacity with independent downstream suites, will further enhance WuXi Biologics' global network to supply COVID-19 vaccines and other biologics. Together with the Drug Product facility in Leverkusen (DP7), this new DS facility will be used for commercial manufacturing, allowing the Chinese CDMO WuXi Biologics to meet clients' increasing demand for outsourced manufacturing services.

As cornerstone of WuXi Biologics' European network, the two facilities are expected to be ready for drug substance and drug product manufacturing by 2021. 

Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics, commented, "This new facility will be a key component of our 'Global Dual Sourcing' strategy, demonstrating great synergy with our existing network. We will continue to provide high-quality and efficient manufacturing services to enable our global partners to benefit patients worldwide."

The transaction, subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close in the first half of 2021.