Direvo buys fellow German firm AC Biotech

Bioengineering specialist Direvo Biotech AG says it has bought fellow Germany-based AC Biotec GmbH in an all cash transaction. Direvo said that its acquisition, financial details of which were not disclosed, would help strengthen its capabilities in the bioprocess and contract manufacturing field.

Direvo explained that AC Biotec will continue to operate as an independent, fully-owned subsidiary, under the leadership of current managing director Simon Curvera. The Cologne-based firm added that services offered by its new unit would include expertise in the development, optimization and application of downstream processes using a variety of cellular systems, as well a full catalogue of biotechnological capabilities ranging from multi-well plates and laboratory shake flasks up to pilot-scale stirred-tank reactors.

Thomas von Ruden, Direvo's chief executive, said that the purchase "is a very important step in the transformation of Direvo's Industrial Biotechnology Business Unit into a more complete technology provider." Dr von Ruden added that the move establishes a "one-stop shop" for the design and development of superior bioengineered products and processes.