AERAS, IDT BIOLOGIKA FORM STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH ACQUISITION OF AERAS'S MANUFACTURING FACILITY
June 23, 2015- Aeras is a non-profit biotech organization with offices in the U.S., China, and South Africa, working to develop new tuberculosis (TB) vaccines that are affordable and accessible to all who need them. IDT Biologika is a privately-held company with more than 90 years of experience researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing biologics for the global protection of human and animal health. This strategic partnership allows each organization to focus on its core strengths, with Aeras concentrating its resources on TB vaccine development and IDT working to grow this new commercial entity for vaccine development manufacturing.
"IDT's vaccine business is successful with strong global partnerships. We plan the expansion of capacity for new development projects and small scale product batches through internal investment and by acquisitions," said Dr. Ralf Pfirmann, CEO of IDT Biologika. "Therefore the partnership with Aeras is a logical step for IDT. Aeras contract manufacturing activities complement IDT's capabilities, they enable clinical phase 1 and 2 projects and provide early development capabilities to enhance IDT´s vaccine business pipeline. Overall, this new entity as part of IDT Biologika Corporation, our US entity, brings both development and manufacturing activities to our U.S. market offering."
IDT and Aeras will jointly share occupancy of the current Aeras location in Rockville, Maryland. Within the partnership Aeras will work closely with IDT on process development and manufacturing of candidate TB vaccines. Both organizations are pleased with the acquisition of the manufacturing facility and how it positions each organization for success. "This acquisition represents a unique opportunity to enable the expansion of the manufacturing facility, staff team, and expertise developed by Aeras and to allow the facility to further develop under a commercial structure," said Dr. Andreas Neubert, Vice President of IDT's Vaccine Business. "IDT Biologika and Aeras believe that this facility within the IDT organization will continue to be an important and agile manufacturing asset supporting global health. Therefore we intend to upgrade the manufacturing infrastructure soon. "
While the acquisition was completed yesterday, Aeras and IDT will work closely together over the next few months to ensure a successful transition of ongoing projects. "We are delighted to be working with IDT, an organization with a strong commitment to meeting global health needs," said Thomas G. Evans, M.D., Aeras CEO. "Our TB vaccine development partners will also benefit from our relationship with IDT, which will provide enhanced efficiencies, new expertise, and new technologies, as IDT brings its own resources, customer base, and skills to the Biopharmaceutical Development Center."