Artis BioSolutions has officially launched with the acquisition of Landmark Bio, a specialized cell and gene therapy manufacturing company based in Watertown, Massachusetts. The strategic move positions Artis as a comprehensive Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) in the rapidly expanding field of genetic medicines.
Strategic Acquisition Addresses Industry Bottlenecks
Genetic medicines represent the fastest-growing therapeutic category in the pharmaceutical industry, yet developers face significant challenges in finding high-quality manufacturing partners. The acquisition directly addresses this gap by combining Landmark Bio's established capabilities with Artis BioSolutions' vision to streamline the discovery, development, and production processes.
"Landmark Bio was born from a bold vision shared by our founding partners – to remove barriers in the manufacturing of advanced therapies and accelerate the development of life-changing medicines," said Ran Zheng, Chief Executive Officer of Landmark Bio. "In just a few short years, we've built a world-class team and capabilities that have become a vital force in the life sciences innovation ecosystem."
Founded in 2021 by leaders from academia, industry, and Boston's leading research hospitals, Landmark Bio has developed significant scientific and technical capabilities aimed at removing bottlenecks and increasing speed-to-clinic for developers of advanced therapies. The company's founding partners include Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cytiva, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, and Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
Expanding Capabilities While Maintaining Independence
Under the acquisition agreement, Landmark Bio will continue to operate as a distinct entity, maintaining its headquarters in Watertown and its state-of-the-art facility. The company will focus on accelerating therapeutic development from preclinical stages through commercialization.
Brian Neel, CEO of Artis BioSolutions, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "Ran and the team at Landmark Bio have established an outstanding foundation built on scientific excellence, operational precision, and a strong collaborative mission. We are thrilled to join forces with such a talented team and look forward to driving transformative progress together."
The acquisition, supported by initial funding from Oak HC/FT, will enable Landmark Bio to enhance its integrated, end-to-end solutions spanning:
- Process, analytical, and formulation development
- GMP manufacturing and QC testing
- CMC consulting and IND enabling services
- Manufacturing technology development
Strengthening the Advanced Therapy Ecosystem
John Shaw, Vice President for Research at Harvard University and Chair of Landmark Bio's board of directors, highlighted the significance of the acquisition: "This next chapter for Landmark Bio is a testament to the vision, science, and dedication of its founding partners. Landmark Bio plays an important role in the development of new therapies, and we are confident that this transition will strengthen its position as a cornerstone of the advanced therapy ecosystem."
The combined entity aims to address persistent challenges in the cell and gene therapy space, including lengthy project timelines, high manufacturing costs, and complex supply chain management. By leveraging Landmark Bio's established position in Massachusetts' life sciences ecosystem and Artis BioSolutions' strategic investment, the companies intend to expand access to high-quality development and manufacturing capabilities.
For advanced therapy developers, the acquisition promises shorter project timelines, lower manufacturing costs, high product quality, efficient supply chain management, and an enhanced customer experience across multiple modalities.
Industry Impact and Future Outlook
The acquisition comes at a critical time for the cell and gene therapy sector, which continues to face manufacturing constraints despite rapid scientific advances. By combining forces, Artis BioSolutions and Landmark Bio are positioned to play a pivotal role in bringing breakthrough therapies to patients more efficiently.
Collaborating institutions with Landmark Bio include Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Mass General Brigham, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, further strengthening the company's scientific foundation and clinical connections.
As genetic medicines continue to revolutionize treatment approaches for previously untreatable conditions, the expanded capabilities resulting from this acquisition may accelerate the translation of groundbreaking research into life-changing therapies for patients worldwide.
