JSR Corporation (JSR), along with Tokyo-based CMIC Holdings Co. Ltd. (CMIC) and Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), announced today that they have agreed to acquire KBI Biopharma, Inc., a biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization with facilities in Durham and Research Triangle Park, North Carolina and Boulder, Colorado. Following completion of the acquisition, JSR will own the majority interest in KBI within the acquiring group. KBI provides microbial and cell-culture process development and manufacturing services for protein production. 

In addition to the acquisition of KBI, JSR and CMIC have entered into a joint project to develop design and manufacturing processes and process materials for antibody pharmaceuticals. Both companies expect the new relationship with KBI to contribute to the project's success. INCJ will support this, and other development efforts, through its industry-academia- government network in Japan.

The JSR Group uses polymer technology to provide synthetic rubbers, emulsions and synthetic resins, semiconductor materials, and display materials. The JSR Group is expanding its business globally with its focus on life sciences and lithium ion capacitors as strategic businesses.

Source: KBI Biopharma