Horizon Discovery sells animal models business to Envigo as it refocuses on high-growth areas

Horizon Discovery has sold its animal models business to Envigo.

The Waterbeach-based gene editing and gene modulating specialist said the divestment was in line with its strategy to “refocus on high growth areas within its core market”.

As part of the deal - expected to be completed in 30 to 45 days, subject to customary closing conditions - Horizon’s US-based research models business in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, and in St Louis, Missouri, will be transferred to Envigo ownership, including assets and employees.

The business unit uses Horizon’s gene-editing expertise to supply customised models with clinically relevant gene deletions, insertions or other modifications for use in pre-clinical models for human genetic disease during drug discovery and development.

Horizon said the companies will collaborate to ensure continuity for customers and enable them to access CRISPR-edited research models for screening and other applications

Envigo is headquartered in the US and employs more than 1,200 across 20 locations, including in Huntingdon.

Terry Pizzie, CEO of Horizon Discovery, said: “We are pleased to announce this transaction with a strong commercial partner, Envigo, which will provide an opportunity for the research models business to flourish within a larger, market-leading company and also deliver continuity for its many customer relationships.

“Envigo will bring a dedicated sales channel to the organisation to super-charge the positive work already done by the Horizon sales team over the last months.

“Horizon will collaborate with Envigo to provide access to our experience and expertise in generating CRISPR-edited models. This transaction is therefore beneficial for all parties and fully in-line with our Investing for Growth strategy to focus on establishing leadership positions in our key markets.”

Horizon is focused on expanding its cell-based screening services to support drug discovery and development, from target identification to patient stratification, and engineered CHO cell lines for biotherapeutic manufacture.

Dr Adrian Hardy, President and CEO of Envigo, said: “Envigo has a strong strategic rationale for this acquisition. We already provide the industry’s broadest range of research models to the global biopharma, academia, government and life science organisations, so we can provide the necessary scale and commercial infrastructure to more broadly market genetically engineered models and associated services.

“The genetic-modification technologies expertise of the acquired business is an important addition to our portfolio to enable us to further expand the range of products and services available to Envigo customers. We are delighted to welcome the team to the Envigo family and look forward to a strong collaboration with Horizon in future activities.”