The deal was supported by Keensight Capital, a private equity manager focusing on pan-European investments in the technology and healthcare sectors.
Headquartered in the UK, and with facilities in the UK and France, Reach Separations provides state-of-the-art chromatography services for the analysis and purification of therapeutics. The company makes use of supercritical fluid chromatography (SLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipment to accelerate discovery programs, specialising in the analysis and purification of small molecules.
The acquisition will allow CatSci to offer its partners access to chromatography services from discovery to manufacturing of small molecules, oligonucleotides and other synthetic therapeutics.
“We are excited to welcome Reach Separations into the CatSci Group. The need for solving complex analytical problems while meeting the ever-evolving regulatory demands is growing alongside the development of new modalities, such as oligonucleotides, TACs (Targeting Chimeras), and glues,” said Ross Burn, CEO of CatSci.
“Joining forces with Reach gives our customers access to end-to-end coverage of the analytical development lifecycle, taking them from discovery through to GMP manufacture, and ultimately enabling them to help patients in need.’’
CatSci was founded in 2010 as a spinout of AstraZeneca’s Catalyst Screening Facility to offer end-to-end research and development services for pharma companies of all sizes. The company offers fully integrated services in chemical development, material science, preformulation, good manufacturing practice (GMP) analytical and highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredient (HPAPI).
The news of the acquisition follows the announcement in November last year of a partnership between CatSci and Reach Separations to offer end-to-end analytical support in screening, method development, and GMP method validation.
For CatSci, the acquisition of Reach Separations marks a major milestone in its growth strategy to enhance its capabilities in chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC). Last year, CatSci expanded its facilities in Nottingham to create a laboratory dedicated to large-scale purification as a response to an increase in the demand for large-scale chiral purification from clients across the UK and Europe.
“Becoming part of the CatSci Group will enhance and strengthen Reach Separations’ ability to deliver excellence in chromatography. Integrating our technologies and expertise across the discovery and development landscape will provide a one-stop-shop for analysis and purification, giving the client a variety of options to progress the journey of their asset,” said Peter Ridgway, Business Development Director at Reach Separations.