© 2014 The Texas Lawbook.
By Natalie Posgate – (December 22) – FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies USA Inc. has completed its previously announced acquisition of College Station-based Kalon Biotherapeutics LLC, a biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing organization with expertise in seasonal and pandemic vaccine manufacturing.
The deal is a big score for Fujifilm because Kalon (which was founded by 2011 by the Texas A&M System) is a key subcontractor to one of the three Centers for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing (CIADM) awarded by the U.S. Department of Human and Health Services (HHS).
The acquisition, which has a confidential dollar amount, also provides leveraged biotechnology workforce recruitment to Texas and drives the state’s expansion in biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals.
A team of lawyers from Polsinelli Shughart, led by Kansas City shareholder Kevin Sweeney, handled the deal for Fujifilm, but a handful of Dallas shareholders played important roles. They are: Gemma Descoteaux, James Billingsley, Clifton Dugas, Lon Williams and Henry Talavera.
Byron Egan and Mike Laussade of Jackson Walker in Dallas led the deal for Kalon. Assisting on the deal were partners Nate Smithson, Jim Griffin, Colter Harris and Pete Wahl and associates Dave Player and Chris Rosa.
Representing A&M were General Counsel Ray Bonilla and Assistant General Counsel Andrea Pereira.
Bob Davis of the Office of the Governor’s General Counsel represented the State of Texas, which also played a role in negotiating the terms of the transaction. The state also provided funding for the development and support of CIADM through the Texas Emerging Technology Fund.
Part of the Center’s mission that Kalon is a subcontractor of is to develop and manufacture medical countermeasures to protect public health in emergencies, including incidents of bioterrorism or an outbreak of pandemic influenza.
Now that the acquisition is complete, the company’s new name is FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies Texas, LLC.
© 2014 The Texas Lawbook. Content of The Texas Lawbook is controlled and protected by specific licensing agreements with our subscribers and under federal copyright laws. Any distribution of this content without the consent of The Texas Lawbook is prohibited.
If you see any inaccuracy in any article in The Texas Lawbook, please contact us. Our goal is content that is 100% true and accurate. Thank you.