Grifols reinforces its innovation strategy after completing the acquisition of GigaGen to boost a novel method to generate a wide range of immunoglobulins

March 9, 2021 |

7 min read

Grifols accelerates its innovation efforts to promote its strategy of long-term growth and continue executing its plan for sustained margin expansion

Grifols acquires the remaining 56% share capital of the U.S. biopharmaceutical company for USD 80 million
GigaGen, dedicated to the discovery and development of recombinant biotherapeutic products, is working on the world’s first recombinant polyclonal immunoglobulin
GigaGen received FDA approval of its IND application for its recombinant polyclonal anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin
Grifols accelerates its innovation efforts to promote its strategy of long-term growth and continue executing its plan for sustained margin expansion

BARCELONA, Spain, March 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Grifols (MCE: GRF, MCE: GRF.P; NASDAQ: GRFS), a global healthcare company with a proven track record of more than 100 years dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people worldwide, today announced the closing of its agreement with GigaGen Inc. to acquire its remaining 56% share capital for USD 80 million.

GigaGen is a U.S. biotechnology company specialized in the early discovery and development of recombinant biotherapeutic medicines. GigaGen’s research focuses on discovering new biological treatments based on antibodies derived from millions of immune system cells obtained from donors.

GigaGen currently spearheads several in-house research projects, including the development of the world’s first recombinant immunoglobulin and a portfolio of immuno-oncological therapies.

Grifols continues to prioritize its innovation strategy as a core pillar of its long-term sustainable growth plan. For Víctor Grífols Deu, co-CEO of Grifols, “We are further strengthening our innovation strategy by investing in solid projects, such as Alkahest and now GigaGen, with the aim of helping patients live longer and better lives. Projects like these support our long-term vision and have high potential to bolster our corporate growth and business fundamentals.”

The agreement is in alignment with Grifols’ R+D+i strategy, grounded in an integrated approach that encompasses both in-house projects and investee-led initiatives whose research complements its core operations.

GigaGen brings a diversified pipeline of recombinant polyclonal antibodies, including GIGA-2050, a recombinant hyperimmune immunoglobulin for the treatment of COVID-19, which is expected to be evaluated in a Phase 1 trial in the U.S. in spring 2021 after the recent approval of its Investigational New Drug (IND) application by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The trial, which will be the first-in-human study evaluating recombinant hyperimmune immunoglobulins, will assess the safety and tolerability of a single dose of GIGA-2050 in up to 18 hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19.

GIGA-2050 comprises more than 12,000 antibodies, encompassing a diverse set of anti-coronavirus antibodies captured from the convalescent blood of 16 exceptional responders to COVID-19. GIGA-2050 has strong binding activity against natural SARS CoV-2 variants, including the variants that recently emerged in several regions globally.

The information obtained from the trial will also be used to demonstrate the safety of the proprietary platform technology for manufacturing specific recombinant polyclonal immunoglobulins specific to infectious diseases that can be quickly developed for treatment of emerging pathogens where neutralizing antibodies are formed.

For José Terencio, Grifols Vice-President of Innovation, “The progress that GigaGen is making to boost the next generation of antibody drugs, including the world’s first recombinant immunoglobulin, will enhance Grifols’ innovation efforts, aiming disease management beyond plasma-derived therapies.”

Following the closing of the transaction, Grifols will now control 100% of GigaGen. Grifols acquired a 44% stake in GigaGen in July 2017 for USD 35 million through Grifols Innovation and New Technology (GIANT), which channels the group’s investments in R+D+i companies and other related projects.

Grifols will finance the operation with its own funds, with no need to issue debt. Half of the consideration will have been paid at closing of the transaction and the remaining amount will be paid one year after closing.

Grifols retained the legal services of Osborne Clarke and Proskauer for this transaction.

GigaGen: R+D focused on developing the world’s first recombinant polyclonal immunoglobulin

Headquartered in San Francisco (California, United States), GigaGen is advancing transformative antibody drugs for immune deficiency, infectious diseases and checkpoint resistant cancers by leveraging industry-leading, single-cell technologies. GigaGen’s novel technology platforms uniquely capture and recreate complete immune repertoires as functional antibody libraries. This approach has enabled the creation of first-in-class recombinant polyclonal antibody therapies for the treatment of infectious diseases, including GigaGen’s lead asset GIGA-2050 for COVID-19, which contains more than 12,000 anti-coronavirus antibodies.

GigaGen’s lead oncology asset, GIGA-564, is an anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody that has demonstrated improved anti-tumor efficacy in vivo through a unique mechanism of action. GigaGen is leveraging its proprietary technology platforms for the continued discovery of novel recombinant polyclonal drugs and monoclonal antibodies to treat life-threatening diseases.

About Grifols

Grifols is a global healthcare company founded in Barcelona in 1909 committed to improving the health and well-being of people around the world. Its four divisions – Bioscience, Diagnostic, Hospital and Bio Supplies – develop, produce and market innovative solutions and services that are sold in more than 100 countries.

Pioneers in the plasma industry, Grifols operates a growing network of donation centers worldwide. It transforms collected plasma into essential medicines to treat chronic, rare and, at times, life-threatening conditions. As a recognized leader in transfusion medicine, Grifols also offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions designed to enhance safety from donation to transfusion. In addition, the company supplies tools, information and services that enable hospitals, pharmacies and healthcare professionals to efficiently deliver expert medical care.

Grifols, with close to 24,000 employees in 30 countries and regions, is committed to a sustainable business model that sets the standard for continuous innovation, quality, safety and ethical leadership.

In 2020, Grifols’ economic impact in its core countries of operation was EUR 7.5 billion. The company also generated 140,000 jobs, including indirect and induced.

The company’s class A shares are listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange, where they are part of the Ibex-35 (MCE:GRF). Grifols non-voting class B shares are listed on the Mercado Continuo (MCE:GRF.P) and on the U.S. NASDAQ through ADRs (NASDAQ:GRFS).

For more information, please visit www.grifols.com

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The facts and figures contained in this report that do not refer to historical data are “future projections and assumptions”. Words and expressions such as “believe”, “hope”, “anticipate”, “predict”, “expect”, “intend”, “should”, “will seek to achieve”, “it is estimated”, “future” and similar expressions, in so far as they relate to the Grifols group, are used to identify future projections and assumptions. These expressions reflect the assumptions, hypotheses, expectations and predictions of the management team at the time of writing this report, and these are subject to a number of factors that mean that the actual results may be materially different. The future results of the Grifols group could be affected by events relating to its own activities, such as a shortage of supplies of raw materials for the manufacture of its products, the appearance of competitor products on the market, or changes to the regulatory framework of the markets in which it operates, among others. At the date of compiling this report, the Grifols group has adopted the necessary measures to mitigate the potential impact of these events. Grifols, S.A. does not accept any obligation to publicly report, revise or update future projections or assumptions to adapt them to events or circumstances subsequent to the date of writing this report, except where expressly required by the applicable legislation. This document does not constitute an offer or invitation to buy or subscribe shares in accordance with the provisions of the following Spanish legislation: Royal Legislative Decree 4/2015, of 23 October, approving recast text of Securities Market Law; Royal Decree Law 5/2005, of 11 March and/or Royal Decree 1310/2005, of 4 November, and any regulations developing this legislation. In addition, this document does not constitute an offer of purchase, sale or exchange, or a request for an offer of purchase, sale or exchange of securities, or a request for any vote or approval in any other jurisdiction. The information included in this document has not been verified nor reviewed by the external auditors of the Grifols group.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grifols-reinforces-its-innovation-strategy-after-completing-the-acquisition-of-gigagen-to-boost-a-novel-method-to-generate-a-wide-range-of-immunoglobulins-301243039.html