bioMérieux Acquires Accellix for €35M to Strengthen Cell and Gene Therapy Quality Control Portfolio
Key Insights
bioMérieux, a global in vitro diagnostics leader, has acquired 100% of Accellix (search) for approximately €35 million to enhance its cell and gene therapy (search) quality control capabilities.
Accellix (search)'s compact flow cytometry (search) platform delivers quality control results in under 30 minutes, enabling real-time monitoring during cell therapy manufacturing processes.
The acquisition completes bioMérieux's comprehensive offering for cell and gene therapies by adding cell purity and viability testing to its existing sterility, mycoplasma, and endotoxin testing portfolio.
bioMérieux, a world leader in in vitro diagnostics, has completed the acquisition of Accellix (search), a US-based company specializing in rapid, automated flow cytometry (search) solutions for cell and gene therapy (search) quality control. The French diagnostics company increased its stake from approximately 10% to 100% for a total cash investment of around €35 million.
The strategic acquisition positions bioMérieux to capitalize on the expanding advanced therapy market, where quality control plays a critical role in ensuring patient safety and treatment efficacy. Cell and gene therapies represent innovative medical treatments that use living cells or genetic modification to repair, replace, or restore function in diseased tissues, offering potential cures for previously untreatable conditions.
Rapid Quality Control Technology
Accellix (search) has developed a compact flow cytometry (search) platform that delivers results in under 30 minutes, enabling real-time quality control during cell therapy manufacturing. This technology addresses a critical need in the industry by simplifying complex workflows and reducing turnaround time, helping manufacturers meet stringent regulatory requirements while accelerating patient access to life-saving therapies.
The company employs approximately 70 people across two locations in San José, California, and Jerusalem, Israel. By simplifying complex workflows and reducing turnaround time, Accellix (search) helps manufacturers meet stringent regulatory requirements and accelerate patient access to life-saving therapies.
Strategic Partnership History
bioMérieux and Accellix (search) have maintained a collaborative relationship since 2020, serving shared key customers in the cell and gene therapy (search) segment. bioMérieux became the exclusive distributor of Accellix products in the Asia-Pacific region and globally for some cell and gene therapy leaders, establishing a foundation for the current acquisition.
Comprehensive Quality Control Portfolio
The acquisition enables bioMérieux to complete its offering for cell and gene therapies by expanding beyond its existing capabilities in sterility, mycoplasma and endotoxin testing, as well as environmental control, to now include cell purity and viability testing.
"With this acquisition, we complete our offer for cell and gene therapies by building on what we already provide for sterility, mycoplasma and endotoxin testing, as well as environmental control, now adding cell purity and viability," stated Yasha Mitrotti, Executive Vice President, Industrial Applications, bioMérieux.
Market Opportunity and Clinical Impact
Recent analyses demonstrate that cell and gene therapies achieve clinical success rates two to three times higher than traditional treatments once they enter development, underscoring both their transformative medical impact and the need for rigorous quality frameworks to sustain patient outcomes.
"Advanced therapies, including cell and gene therapies, are redefining the future of healthcare by delivering innovative, targeted solutions for patients with complex conditions. Their promise is immense, but their success depends on uncompromising quality standards," Mitrotti explained.
Growth Acceleration Plans
The acquisition provides Accellix (search) with access to bioMérieux's global expertise and worldwide presence to scale its technology and expand market reach. Greg Hamilton, CEO of Accellix, emphasized the strategic value of the partnership.
"Joining bioMérieux is a powerful catalyst for growth: It will allow us to scale our technology and impact more patients' therapy by ensuring faster, more reliable quality control processes," Hamilton said.
As a partner for the pharmaceutical sector, bioMérieux will support industry demand for scalable, automated quality control tools, testing raw material and in-process quality as well as product efficacy and safety in the advanced therapies market.
The transaction was supported by Deloitte as financial advisor and Mayer Brown (search) and Herzog Fox & Neeman as legal counsel for bioMérieux, while TD Cowen (search) served as financial advisor and Cooley (search) and Pearl Cohen provided legal counsel for Accellix (search).