mRNA giants make acquisitions

Two of the pandemic’s most well-recognized messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine developers have begun the new year with acquisitions. For $85 million, Moderna will purchase Japan-based OriCiro Genomics, which specializes in cell-free DNA synthesis and amplification technology. BioNTech will buy the London-headquartered company InstaDeep for $439 million and potentially up to $243 million in milestone payments. The transaction will allow BioNTech to leverage InstaDeep’s artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms for the discovery and development of immunotherapies and vaccines.