MedImmune to acquire Definiens for US$150m
Strengthening its immuno-oncology capabilities and accelerating clinical programmes through highly precise biomarker testing
AstraZeneca’s biologics research and development arm MedImmune is to buy Definiens, a privately-held German developer of an imaging and data analysis technology called Tissue Phenomics, which is said to dramatically improve the identification of biomarkers in tumour tissue.
Under the terms of the agreement, MedImmune will acquire Munich-based Definiens for an initial consideration of US$150m and make predetermined milestone payments. Definiens will continue to operate its business with third-party customers.
The acquisition is expected to strengthen MedImmune’s focus on the discovery of novel predictive biomarkers in immuno-oncology. It is thought that using biomarkers to select patients for clinical trials could potentially shorten clinical timelines and increase response rates. As a result, the technology will serve as an important tool in the advancement of the most promising combination therapies across AstraZeneca’s combined small molecule and biologics pipeline, around 80% of which currently has a personalised healthcare approach.
Definiens brings a distinctive technology that will have application across the organisation as well as supporting our immuno-oncology efforts
Definiens’ proprietary Cognition Network Technology was developed by Professor Gerd Binnig, the 1986 Nobel Laureate in Physics, and unlocks information from cancer tissue samples by measuring the identity, locations and the relationships between the many and varied components of the complex tumour microenvironment.
‘MedImmune has a comprehensive programme in immuno-oncology and the identification of patients who are most likely to respond to particular therapies is critical to our ability to successfully develop new medicines,’ said Bahija Jallal, Executive Vice President, MedImmune.
‘Definiens’ technology will complement our immuno-oncology approach and allow us to accelerate further our clinical programmes through its highly precise predictive and prognostic biomarker testing.’
Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President of Innovative Medicines and Early Development, AstraZeneca, added: ‘Definiens brings a distinctive technology that will have application across the organisation as well as supporting our immuno-oncology efforts. Harnessing this groundbreaking technology will reinforce our approach to developing companion diagnostics that help us in selecting the patients who would benefit the most from therapies across our small molecule and biologics portfolios.’
The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2014.
