3i builds single-use bioprocessing platform using three acquisitions

Published: 24-Jan-2020

The UK-based company has acquired Cellon, Silicone Altimex and TBL Performance Plastics to establish a platform serving the high growth single-use technology market

3i Group has established a single-use bioprocessing platform serving the biopharmaceutical sector with the acquisitions of Cellon, Silicone Altimex and TBL Performance Plastics.

Cellon, based in Luxembourg, and TBL, based in New Jersey, were acquired from their founder owners, who will continue to serve as key leaders of the platform. Silicone Altimex had been a UK-based subsidiary of 3i-backed Q Holding (Q) that was acquired in 2015 from its owners, who remain advisors to the company.

Richard Relyea, Partner, 3i US, said: “3i has been looking for some time to build a platform serving the high growth SUT market. In combining Cellon, TBL and Silicone Altimex we are establishing a platform with a strong product suite of leading SUT solutions and cleanroom production capacity in North America and Europe."

Relyea added that 3i will continue to invest in innovation, production capacity and geographic footprint.

The company is actively looking for additional opportunities to grow the platform through further acquisitions and organic investment that would enable it to expand its suite of innovative products, and increase its capacity and capabilities.

Cellon

Cellon is a manufacturer of single-use products for bioprocessing, storage, and transport of sterile solutions for pharmaceutical and biotech companies in the production of biological drugs, vaccines and therapies. Its products include sterile bottles for the production of biologic drugs, custom tube and bottle sets and platinum-cured silicone tubing. The company has a 54,000 sqft manufacturing facility in Luxembourg. Cellon serves leading developers of biologics, vaccines and cell & gene therapies.

TBL

TBL is a vertically integrated thermoplastic manufacturer of high purity tubing, sanitary fittings, over-moulded connections and other products for biopharmaceutical production facilities. It operates a 20,000 sqft facility in Sparta, NJ, where it provides injection moulding, extrusion and ISO Class 7 cleanroom assembly services. TBL serves leading OEMs, as well as leading integrators and distributors serving the bioprocessing production market.

Silicone Altimex

Silicone Altimex provides high quality, integrated elastomeric solutions to biopharmaceutical manufacturers. Its products include a broad range of silicone tubing, clean room assemblies and other components.

Single use

As the biopharmaceutical industry continues to transition to single-use bioprocessing technologies (SUT) given their flexibility, cleanliness and cost advantage in comparison to stainless steel equipment, manufacturers are seeking partners that can deliver flexible solutions, innovative products and faster turnaround times.

The newly established platform will offer products such as the PharmaTainer bottles and carboy product line, aSURE fittings, Tri-Clamp ends, Bio-Ease clamps, a wide range of tubing solutions such as Cellgyn and cleanroom bioprocessing assembly capacity in North America and Europe for custom solutions.

These products support the research, development and commercial production of life-saving therapies, accelerating production setup times and time to market with lower required capital investment.

Thomas J. Hook, CEO, Q, said: “With Cellon and TBL, it became clear we had a unique opportunity to establish a standalone platform in the SUT market.

“Q Holding will be reinvesting proceeds to support a significant expansion of its production capacity for our cardiovascular and peripheral vascular catheter product lines,” Hook added.

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