Sigma-Aldrich acquires Molecular Medicine BioServices to expand SAFC pharma capabilities

Published: 9-May-2007

Sigma-Aldrich Corporation has acquired Molecular Medicine BioServices (MMB), a Californian biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing organisation, to further enhance the biologics capabilities of its SAFC Pharma business.


Sigma-Aldrich Corporation has acquired Molecular Medicine BioServices (MMB), a Californian biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing organisation, to further enhance the biologics capabilities of its SAFC Pharma business.

The acquisition of MMB, which has annualized revenues of US$12m, is expected to help Sigma-Aldrich achieve its growth goals in key high technology markets. David Backer, president of MMB, will continue as site director and all current employees, including all of MMB's existing management team, will be retained.

Founded in 1997, MMB employs 60 people at its state-of-the-art 23,700ft2 laboratory and headquarters building and 21,400ft2 manufacturing facilities in Carlsbad. Its core expertise is in the development and clinical manufacturing of viral products, drawing on cutting-edge technology to deliver DNA, RNA and critical active ingredients for the production of novel vaccines and gene therapies.

Since its inception, the company has expanded its capabilities from the use of flat-stock cell factories to the extensive use of stir tanks and economic, disposable bioreactor systems. Significantly enhancing SAFC Pharma's oncology offer, MMB has produced clinical grade drug products for a variety of different cancer indicators including head, neck, prostate and pancreatic cancers, as well as for other therapeutic indicators including Alzheimer's disease and Cardiovascular disease.

'The acquisition of MMB continues our push into niche biologics, giving us the critical capability to manufacture virus,' said Frank Wicks, president of SAFC. 'It also complements both our new transgenic extraction and purification facility which opened last month in St. Louis and our potent bacterial fermentation facility currently under construction in Israel.'

You may also like