Cellular Dynamics to Be Acquired
As an example of a combination of the company’s technologies, Fujifilm cited the use of its biocompatible recombinant peptides for cellular scaffolding with CDI’s products for regenerative-medicine applications. Other synergies include development by CDI and J-TEC of contract cell culturing and the combination of Fujifilm, CDI and J-TEC technologies for organ-regeneration R&D. In recent years, the Japanese government has announced major investments in stem cell research (see IBO 9/15/13). Fujifilm acquired a majority of J-TEC, which develops tissue-engineered products for regenerative-medicine applications, in December 2014.
Tokyo, Japan and Madison, WI 3/30/15; Tokyo, Japan 3/30/15—Fujifilm has agreed to acquire Cellular Dynamics (CDI) for $307 million in cash, or $16.50 per share, a 108% premium to CDI’s March 27 closing price. CDI develops and manufactures fully functioning human cells, including iPSCs, in industrial quantities to specification. In 2014, CDI generated $16.7 million in sales (see page 12). Fujifilm can now provide iPSC-based drug discovery–support services and plans to combine IPSC technology with its expertise in material science and engineering, and with its Japan Tissue Engineering (J-TEC) business. “We are delighted to be able to pursue the business from drug discovery to regenerative medicine with CDI, which develops and manufactures iPSCs,” said Fujifilm Chairman and CEO Shigetaka Komori. “We have optimal scaffolding material, ‘recombinant peptides,’ for cell generation and technologies useful for regenerative medicines such as material science and engineering.” CDI will become a subsidiary of Fujifilm and remain in Madison, Wisconsin, and Novato, California. The acquisition is expected to close during the second quarter.
