Evotec acquires Cell Culture Service GmbH

Evotec has acquired CCS and will integrate its capabilities into existing operations at its Hamburg site.

Evotec AG has acquired Hamburg-based Cell Culture Service GmbH (CCS) for an initial purchase price of approximately EUR1.2 million in cash.

CCS supports the cell culture needs of a range of biotech and pharmaceutical companies around the world, supplying custom cells and cell-based reagents.

The acquisition therefore strengthens Evotec's position as a leader in drug discovery and early development solutions for pharma and biotech companies.

Its partners will now benefit from CCS' unique capabilities in frozen cell preparations, bulk cell transfection for cell-based screening and storage at Evotec's Hamburg facility.

Dr Mario Polywka, chief operating officer of Evotec AG, said: "Through the acquisition of CCS, Evotec strengthens its cell culture capabilities and gains access to a growing base of customers using cell- based assays in their drug discovery processes.

"CCS' experience and technologies for large-scale cell production are a perfect fit with Evotec's screening and in vitro pharmacology activities."

Dr Oliver Wehmeier, chief executive officer of CCS, added that the company was "excited" to be joining forces with Evotec.