GERMANTOWN, Md., Nov. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orgenesis Inc., (OTCQB:ORGS), a vertically-integrated biopharmaceutical company with expertise and unique experience in cell therapy development and manufacturing, today announced it has entered an agreement with Société Fédérale de Participations et d'Investissement, pursuant to which SFPI is making an equity investment in MaSTherCell, Orgenesis’ wholly-owned Belgian-based subsidiary, in the aggregate amount of €5 million (approximately $5.9 million) for 16.67% of MaSTherCell.
The investment proceeds will be used to increase MaSTherCell’s capital directed at supporting its development plans over the coming years. The Belgium facility will be expanded with a dedicated, late-stage clinical and commercial unit, anticipated to be operational by the fourth quarter of 2018. This new asset will provide the most up-to-date commercial capabilities in Europe with five state-of-the-art advanced therapies manufacturing units and extended Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-accredited quality control (QC) laboratories.
This expansion will position MaSTherCell’s Belgium facility as the European hub for the continental activities of Orgenesis’ global CDMO global network. Orgenesis continues to leverage MaSTherCell’s Belgium-based expertise on a global level to cement MaSTherCell as a globally-recognized center of excellence for the cell therapy industry.
“Our investment in MaSTherCell’s capital highlights the confidence we have in Orgenesis’ global strategy and, in particular, its decision to capitalize on MaSTherCell’s development and manufacturing platform,” said François Fontaine, Investment Manager at SFPI. “We have been impressed by the results achieved so far and want to congratulate and support both companies’ managements in their development strategy.”
“The successful development of MaSTherCell in the context of the rapidly expanding cell and gene therapy industry is very exciting. We are really pleased to be supported by the Federal fund to support both our global and local expansion,” said Vered Caplan, Chief Executive Officer of Orgenesis. “This investment will accelerate the delivery of our state of the art commercial unit and the development of MaSTherCell within the already very dynamic Belgium healthcare cluster.”
About Orgenesis Inc.
Orgenesis is a vertically-integrated biopharmaceutical company with expertise and unique experience in cell therapy development and manufacturing. In addition, through its Israeli subsidiary, Orgenesis Ltd., Orgenesis is a pioneer in the development of technology designed to successfully reprogram human liver cells into glucose-responsive, fully functional, Insulin Producing Cells (IPCs). Orgenesis believes that converting the diabetic patient's own tissue into insulin-producing cells has the potential to overcome the significant issues of donor shortage, cost and exposure to chronic immunosuppressive therapy associated with islet cell transplantation. This integrated approach supports Orgenesis's business philosophy of bringing to market significant life-improving medical treatments. For more information, visit www.orgenesis.com.
About MaSTherCell
MaSTherCell is a dynamic and global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) on a mission to deliver optimized process industrialization capacities to cell therapy organizations and speed up the arrival of their therapies onto the market. At the heart of MaSTherCell is a team of more than 80 highly dedicated experts combining strong experience in cGMP cell therapy manufacturing with a technology-focused approach and a substantial knowledge of the industry. From technology selection to business modeling, GMP manufacturing, process development, quality management and assay development, MaSTherCell’s teams are fully committed to helping their clients fulfill their objective of providing sustainable and affordable therapies to their patients. The company operates in a validated and flexible facility located in the strategic center of Europe within the Walloon healthcare cluster, Biowin. For more information, visit www.masthercell.com.
About SFPI
SFPI-FPIM is the federal public holding company, which fulfils a dual function. It not only acts as an investment company, but also as a government holding company. The investments as a public holding company are done in consultation with the government. SFPI-FPIM wishes to profile itself as an investment company that attaches great importance to socially responsible projects. SFPI-FPIM is looking for the perfect combination of profitability and societal relevance. For more information, visit www.sfpi-fpim.be.
