FairJourney Biologics Acquires Charles River Labs' South San Francisco Facility
Deal News | Mar 04, 2025 | Ropes & Gray
FairJourney Biologics S.A., a leader in antibody discovery and optimization, has acquired Charles River Laboratories' South San Francisco facility. The acquisition, made with the legal guidance of Ropes & Gray, includes strategic incorporation of the site into FairJourney's operations. The announcement was made in March 2023, although financial terms were not disclosed. The acquisition showcases FairJourney's ambitions to enhance its capabilities and scale up its operations, leveraging the resources and infrastructure of the South San Francisco site. The Ropes & Gray legal team was comprehensively involved, providing expertise across private equity, IP transactions, employee benefits, employment, and healthcare, illustrating the multifaceted nature of the acquisition process.
Sectors
- Biotechnology
- Legal Services
- Pharmaceuticals
Geography
- United States – The acquired facility is located in South San Francisco, California, USA, making this geography significant in the transaction.
- Portugal – FairJourney Biologics is based in Portugal, indicating its international operational strategy.
Industry
- Biotechnology – FairJourney Biologics operates in the biotechnology sector, focusing on the discovery and optimization of antibodies.
- Legal Services – Ropes & Gray provided legal representation in the acquisition, highlighting the role of legal services in M&A activities.
- Pharmaceuticals – Charles River Laboratories is involved in the provision of pharmaceutical research and services, relevant to this acquisition.
Financials
- Not disclosed – The financial terms of the acquisition were not made public.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FairJourney Biologics S.A. | Acquirer | Company | A company specializing in the discovery and optimization of antibodies. |
| Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. | Vendor | Company | A company providing research models and associated services to support pharmaceutical research and development. |
| Ropes & Gray | Legal Advisor | Company | A law firm that provided legal advisory services for the acquisition. |
| Gabrielle DiBernardi | Private Equity Partner | Person | A partner at Ropes & Gray involved in the acquisition process. |
| John Newton | Private Equity Partner | Person | A partner at Ropes & Gray involved in the acquisition process. |
| Jordan Altman | IP Transactions Partner | Person | A partner specializing in IP transactions at Ropes & Gray. |
| Danna Kivell | Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits Partner | Person | A partner at Ropes & Gray focusing on executive compensation and employee benefits. |
| Stephanie Bruce | Employment Partner | Person | A partner at Ropes & Gray focusing on employment matters. |
| Devin Cohen | Health Care Partner | Person | A partner at Ropes & Gray focusing on healthcare issues related to the acquisition. |