Gimv announces the sale of its stake in ImCheck Therapeutics to Ipsen, marking a significant milestone for both companies. This transaction highlights Gimv’s strategic approach to valorizing investments in the life sciences sector, demonstrating how our support for scientific innovation not only creates tangible value for shareholders, but also benefits society at large by advancing the medical field through the introduction of new treatments.

ImCheck Therapeutics, a French biotechnology company, has developed a next-generation antibody pipeline with its lead program, ICT01, showing highly encouraging results in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The Phase I/II EVICTION trial has demonstrated nearly double the treatment response compared to historical standards, positioning ICT01 as a potential new standard of care for high-risk, unfit AML patients.

Ipsen’s acquisition of all issued and outstanding shares of ImCheck Therapeutics, for a closing purchase price of 350 million euro and potential milestone payments totaling nearly 1 billion euro, reflects the significant value created by ImCheck’s team, scientific founders, and investors. This transaction validates the impact of collaborative investment in transformative healthcare solutions.

Rishabh Chawla, Principal in Gimv’s Life Sciences team declares: “Gimv is proud to have supported ImCheck’s journey from academic research to late-stage clinical development. The sale to Ipsen not only delivers substantial returns to our stakeholders but also ensures that ImCheck’s innovative therapies will reach patients worldwide, backed by Ipsen’s global development and commercialization expertise.”

Bram Vanparys, Managing Partner and board member at Imcheck Therapeutics, adds: “This exit highlights Gimv’s strategy of investing in high-potential life sciences companies and partnering with visionary teams to advance medical breakthroughs. We congratulate ImCheck Therapeutics and Ipsen on this landmark transaction and look forward to seeing ICT01 and future pipeline assets make a lasting impact in oncology and beyond.”

As a result of this transaction, Gimv will receive an upfront cash payment that represents a realized money multiple of 2.6x on our total investment and a positive impact of approximately 0.4 euro per share compared to the unaudited NAV communicated in the trading update at the beginning of September. Should all regulatory and sales-based milestones be achieved, this could result in a potential total money multiple of 7.1x, subject to the successful completion of these milestones.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of Q1 2026, subject to fulfilment of customary closing conditions including the expiration or termination of any required regulatory and governmental approvals under French and U.S. regulations.

For more information, please read the full press release from Ipsen attached.

— Financing led by Fidelity Management & Research Company with participation from RiverVest Venture Partners, Lightchain Capital, LYZZ Capital, Abingworth, Intermediate Capital Group (ICG), Tybourne Capital Management, Aisling Capital Management, and other top-tier life sciences investors —

— Proceeds will fund the ongoing pivotal T-RRex trial in relapsed/refractory T-ALL/T-LBL — 

— WU-CART-007 achieved 91% overall response rate in global Phase 1/2 trial, substantially outperforming current standard of care — 

— BLA filing targeted for 2027; therapy holds potential to be first approved “off-the-shelf” CAR-T for T‑cell malignancies —

ST. LOUIS, MO, August 27, 2025 – Wugen, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the next generation of allogeneic, off-the-shelf CAR-T cell therapies, today announced the closing of $115 million equity financing led by Fidelity Management & Research Company, with participation from RiverVest Venture Partners, Lightchain Capital, Abingworth, ICG, LYZZ Capital, Tybourne Capital Management, Aisling Capital Management, and other leading life sciences investors. The proceeds will advance the ongoing pivotal T-RRex study of WU-CART-007 in relapsed/refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T‑LBL).

WU-CART-007, also known as soficabtagene geleucel, is a CD7-targeted, CRISPR-edited allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy with potential to be the first approved “off-the-shelf” CAR-T for T-cell malignancies. In a completed global Phase 1/2 study, WU-CART-007 achieved an overall response rate (ORR) of 91% and a composite complete remission (CRc) rate of 73% at the recommended Phase 2 dose. The median duration of response exceeded six months with manageable safety. These data, presented at the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition, substantially surpass the outcomes achieved with current standard-of-care therapies.

“This financing comes at a decisive time for Wugen as we advance WU-CART-007 through our ongoing pivotal study with a clear path to a BLA filing in 2027,” said Kumar Srinivasan, Ph.D., MBA, president, and chief executive officer of Wugen. “Relapsed and refractory T-ALL/T-LBL are aggressive malignancies resistant to current treatment options. We are committed to delivering an accessible, off-the-shelf therapy that can significantly improve the trajectory of patients’ care. We are grateful for the support of a world-class syndicate of investors who share our vision of transforming the treatment landscape for T‑cell malignancies.”

“WU-CART-007’s robust response in a heavily pretreated patient population—coupled with manageable safety and scalable manufacturing—positions it as a potential first-in-class therapy,” said Cherry Thomas, M.D., chief medical officer of Wugen. “Our pivotal T-RRex trial is designed to evaluate WU‑CART-007 in a single study for both pediatric and adult patients, with the goal of offering a potentially curative option where current salvage therapies fail.”

“RiverVest has been impressed by the Wugen team’s efforts advancing WU-CART-007 into this pivotal study, and we are pleased that several of the world’s leading cancer centers are participating,” said Niall O’Donnell, Ph.D., Managing Director at RiverVest. “We are optimistic about Wugen’s potential to transform care for patients who currently face poor outcomes and limited treatment options, and we look forward to supporting WU-CART-007’s continued progress.”

Use of Proceeds and Next Steps
Proceeds from this financing will fund the advancement of the pivotal T-RRex trial in patients with relapsed/refractory or minimal residual disease-positive T-ALL/T-LBL, regulatory engagement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA), and preparations for commercial-scale manufacturing. The company anticipates a Biologics License Application (BLA) submission in 2027.

About WU-CART-007

WU-CART-007 is an allogeneic, off-the-shelf, CD7-targeted CAR-T cell therapy engineered to overcome the technological challenges of harnessing CAR-T cells to treat T-cell cancers. Wugen is deploying CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to delete CD7 and the T cell receptor alpha constant (TRAC) genes, thereby preventing CAR-T cell fratricide and mitigating the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). WU‑CART-007 is manufactured using healthy donor-derived T cells to eliminate the risk of malignant cell contamination historically observed in the autologous CAR-T setting. WU-CART-007 is currently being evaluated in a global pivotal clinical trial for relapsed or refractory T-ALL/T-LBL. More information on the Phase 1/2 trial is available on clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT04984356 and on the pivotal trial on clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT06514794.

WU-CART-007 has received Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT), Fast Track, Orphan Drug, and Rare Pediatric Disease designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Priority Medicines (PRIME) Scheme designation in the European Union for the treatment of relapsed or refractory T-ALL/T-LBL. RMAT and PRIME designations provide increased agency support to expedite the development and review of promising therapies for patients in need.

About Wugen
Wugen, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation, allogeneic CAR-T cell therapies for cancer. Wugen’s proprietary gene-editing platform is designed to overcome key limitations of first-generation cell therapies, enabling scalable, off-the-shelf treatments with biologics-like cost of goods margins. The lead program, WU‑CART-007, targets CD7 and has demonstrated best-in-class efficacy in T-ALL/T-LBL, with the potential to be the first approved allogeneic CAR-T therapy for T-cell malignancies.

# # #

Investor Contact:

Mark Lewis, Ph.D.

Wugen

Mlewis@wugen.com

314-501-1968

Media Contact:

Cory Tromblee

Scient PR

cory@scientpr.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. and NORWICH, CT – August 6, 2025 – Arlington Capital Partners (“Arlington”), a Washington, D.C.-area private investment firm specializing in government regulated industries, today announced that its portfolio company AVS Bio, a leading global provider of critical inputs and services for the bioprocessing and biologics industries, acquired ImmunoPrecise Antibodies (Europe) B.V. (“IPA Europe” or the “Company”).  IPA Europe is a carve-out of ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd. (NASDAQ: IPA), a biotherapeutics company leveraging proprietary technologies, including its LENSai™ platform, to accelerate the discovery of next-generation biologics. The acquisition expands AVS Bio’s European footprint and adds advanced capabilities in antibody discovery, protein expression, and organoid growth factor development and manufacturing to its growing service portfolio.

With facilities in both Utrecht and Oss in the Netherlands, IPA Europe offers a comprehensive suite of antibody discovery, engineering, and characterization services. In addition to its industry-leading hybridoma and B-cell screening platforms, the Company has deep expertise in recombinant protein expression and offers scalable protein production for both research and pre-clinical applications. These capabilities enable IPA Europe to serve as a true end-to-end partner for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies developing next-generation biologics including antibody-based therapeutics, novel diagnostics, and vaccines. Following the acquisition, IPA Europe will continue to operate under its existing management as a strategic European hub within AVS Bio’s brand and network which serves large-scale pharmaceutical customers globally across both human and animal health markets.

Jac Price, CEO of AVS Bio, said, “IPA Europe brings exceptional technical capabilities and a reputation for scientific rigor that aligns perfectly with our mission to support customers from early discovery through commercial manufacturing. This acquisition significantly enhances our service offering and geographic reach, and we’re excited to welcome the IPA Europe team into the AVS Bio family.”

“This acquisition reflects AVS Bio’s strategic commitment to grow through both organic investment and targeted M&A,” added Malcolm Little, a Partner at Arlington Capital Partners. “IPA Europe is a natural fit, offering complementary capabilities in antibody discovery and recombinant protein manufacturing that will accelerate AVS Bio’s expansion into the upstream biologics R&D value chain. This transaction marks a key milestone in AVS Bio’s broader strategy to build a diversified biologics services platform serving the therapeutic innovation markets.”

Ilse Roodink and Roland Romijn, General Managers of IPA Europe, together commented, “We’re thrilled to join forces with AVS Bio. Their platform offers immediate opportunities for us to scale our operations, invest in next-generation technologies, and better serve our clients with an end-to-end continuum of biologics development capabilities.”

Arlington has an extensive track record of building leading companies in highly regulated industries that are critical to healthcare infrastructure, government systems and national security. Within healthcare, Arlington focuses on working with businesses that save lives, improve the delivery of products and services and reduce costs for patients and providers. Other notable recent healthcare sector investments the firm has made include Afton Scientific, Everest Clinical Research, Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing, Millstone Medical Outsourcing, Riverpoint Medical, and TEAM Technologies.

Edgemont Partners served as exclusive sell-side advisor to ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd. in connection with the transaction.

About Arlington Capital Partners
Arlington Capital Partners is a Washington, D.C.-area private investment firm specializing in government-regulated industries. The firm partners with founders and management teams to build strategically important businesses in the healthcare, government services and technology, and aerospace and defense sectors. Since its inception in 1999, Arlington has invested in over 175 companies and is currently investing out of its $3.8 billion Fund VI. For more information, visit Arlington’s website at www.arlingtoncap.com and follow Arlington on LinkedIn.

About AVS Bio
Headquartered in Norwich, CT, AVS Bio is a global provider of specific pathogen free (“SPF”) laboratory products and services that support the development and manufacture of vaccines, therapeutics, and biologics. The Company supplies leading manufacturers with critical bioprocessing inputs including SPF eggs, antigens, and antibodies, and also offers diagnostic testing and GMP support services. AVS Bio operates over 20 facilities across North America and Europe and is a portfolio company of Arlington Capital Partners. For more information, visit AVS Bio’s website at www.avsbio.com.

About ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd.
ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd. (NASDAQ: IPA) is advancing Bio-Native™ AI at the intersection of biology and computation. The Company’s LENS^ai™ and HYFT® platforms enable large-scale reasoning across sequence, structure, function, and scientific literature, powering next-generation workflows across drug discovery, diagnostics, vaccine design, and molecular systems biology.

About IPA Europe
IPA Europe, based in Utecht and Oss, the Netherlands, provides comprehensive services in antibody discovery, engineering, and functional characterization as well as recombinant protein and organoid growth factor development and production. With a focus on innovation and quality, IPA Europe supports leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies across the globe in the development of next-generation biologics.

• Investment Will Accelerate PCI’s Leading Position in CDMO, Delivering Life-Changing Therapies to Patients
• Transaction Includes Continued Investment from Partners Group

PHILADELPHIA – July 14, 2025 – PCI Pharma Services (“PCI” or the “Company”), a world-leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused on innovative biotherapies, today announced that it received a strategic investment co-led by Bain Capital and existing lead investor Kohlberg, and supported with significant reinvestment by Mubadala Investment Company (“Mubadala”). Partners Group will also continue to support the Company with a minority investment. Financial terms of the private transaction were not disclosed.
Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PCI provides clients with integrated end-to-end drug development, manufacturing and packaging capabilities that increase their products’ speed to market and opportunities for commercial success. PCI brings the proven experience that comes with more than 450 successful product launches over the last five years and over 50 years in pharmaceutical services helping bring to life innovation to improve patient access and outcomes.

Kohlberg and Mubadala, both of which initially invested in PCI in 2020, and Bain Capital are partnering with PCI’s management team, led by Chief Executive Officer Salim Haffar, to accelerate the Company’s growth trajectory, build upon its strong customer service experience, and further enable PCI clients to bring life-changing biopharmaceutical therapies to market. PCI will primarily focus on organic and inorganic growth initiatives, including expanding its suite of services and geographic reach. Leveraging global growth trends in biologics and specialized drug therapies, PCI’s future investments will include expansion of existing sterile fill-finish of injectables and high potent and specialized manufacturing capacity. The strategic investment will also enable the Company’s significant continued investment in the US, bolstering the nation’s critical pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply chain infrastructure.

Haffar said: “PCI has embarked on a purposeful journey to transform itself into a global CDMO by executing its successful growth strategy, providing industry-leading customer experience, and offering innovative and integrated supply chain solutions. I am grateful for the ongoing support of our existing investors and enthusiastically welcome Bain Capital and their deep, global healthcare and life science capabilities and expertise. Together we will grow PCI’s commercial, clinical trial services, and development and manufacturing businesses to meet the future demands of our biopharmaceutical customers.”

Matt Jennings, Chairman of PCI and an Operating Partner of Kohlberg, commented: “PCI’s world- class management team, combined with the support of experienced industry investors, has proven to be a very successful formula. We are delighted for Bain Capital to join PCI’s investor base, yielding an optimal combination aligned to support Salim and the management team to execute on their growth ambitions and value creation pathways.”

Devin O’Reilly, Partner at Bain Capital, said: “Anchored by an innovative, advanced platform that is consistently growing and setting new standards for the industry, PCI Pharma has built a well- deserved reputation as a differentiated partner to leading biopharma companies, ensuring critical therapies reach patients safely and efficiently. We look forward to working alongside Kohlberg to build on this strong foundation.”

Andrew Kaplan and Christina Dix, Partners at Bain Capital added: “We are excited to leverage our industry expertise and the collaboration of our global healthcare team to support Salim and PCI’s team of experienced industry leaders in the mission to drive innovation in advanced pharmaceutical services that improve patients’ lives and outcomes.”

Chris Anderson, Senior Partner of Kohlberg, added: “We are honored to have supported PCI’s transformation over the last five years into a leading global CDMO, positioned in the fastest growing markets and known for its proven experience meeting critical customer needs throughout the drug development and commercialization lifecycle. We are thrilled to be partnering with Bain Capital and are aligned to make new investments that will further elevate the Company’s capabilities and growth for many years to come.”

Mina Hamoodi, Head of Healthcare at Mubadala, said: “Our reinvestment in PCI reflects our deep conviction in the company’s mission, leadership, and long-term potential. At this important juncture, we are delighted to welcome Bain Capital, an industry-leading healthcare investor with deep expertise in growing pharma services businesses, as a partner. We look forward to partnering with Bain and Kohlberg, and working closely with PCI’s outstanding management team, as the company enters its next chapter of accelerated growth.”

Sujit John, Managing Director, Private Equity Health & Life Vertical, Partners Group, commented: “PCI’s market position, reputation, and world-class capabilities strategically position the Company to be the partner of choice for customers. We look forward to supporting PCI and the new ownership group in driving the Company into its next phase of growth.”

Jefferies LLC acted as lead financial advisor to PCI and Moelis & Company LLC acted as co-advisor to PCI. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, and BofA Securities, Inc. acted as financial advisors to Bain Capital. Citi acted as a financial advisor to Mubadala.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP acted as counsel to PCI and Kohlberg. Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as counsel to Bain Capital. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP acted as counsel to Mubadala. Ropes & Gray LLP acted as counsel to Partners Group.

###

About PCI Pharma Services
PCI is a world-leading CDMO, providing clients with integrated end-to-end drug development, manufacturing and packaging capabilities that increase their products’ speed to market and opportunities for commercial success. PCI brings the proven experience that comes with more than 90 successful product launches each year and over five decades in the healthcare services business. The company currently has 38 sites across seven countries (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Spain and Australia), and over 7,500 employees working to bring life-changing therapies to patients.

Leading technology and continued investment enable PCI Pharma Services to address global drug development needs throughout the entire product life cycle – from manufacturing capabilities through the clinical trial supply chain and commercialization. Its clients utilize PCI as an extension of their business, and a collaborative partner with the shared goal of improving patients’ lives. For more information, visit pci.com.

About Kohlberg
Founded in 1987, Kohlberg is a leading U.S. middle market private equity firm based in Mount Kisco, New York. The firm invests in high-quality healthcare and services companies characterized by strong market positions, recurring revenue streams and resilient end markets, which it identifies through rigorous thematic research grounded in its White Paper Program. Leveraging its team of investment and operating professionals, Kohlberg works with management teams to accelerate growth, enhance operational excellence and create value. For more information, please visit www.kohlberg.com.

About Bain Capital
Founded in 1984, Bain Capital is one of the world’s leading private investment firms. We are committed to creating lasting impact for our investors, teams, businesses, and the communities in which we live. As a private partnership, we lead with conviction and a culture of collaboration, advantages that enable us to innovate investment approaches, unlock opportunities, and create exceptional outcomes. Our global platform invests across five focus areas: Private Equity, Growth & Venture, Capital Solutions, Credit & Capital Markets, and Real Assets. In these focus areas, we bring deep sector expertise and wide-ranging capabilities. We have 24 offices on four continents, more than 1,850 employees, and approximately $185 billion in assets under management. To learn more, visit www.baincapital.com. Follow @BainCapital on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

About Mubadala Investment Company
Mubadala Investment Company is a sovereign investor managing a global portfolio, aimed at generating sustainable financial returns for the Government of Abu Dhabi. Mubadala’s $330 billion (AED 1.2 trillion) portfolio spans six continents with interests in multiple sectors and asset classes. Mubadala leverages its deep sectoral expertise and long-standing partnerships to drive sustainable growth and profit, while supporting the continued diversification and global integration of the economy of the United Arab Emirates. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Mubadala has additional offices in New York, London, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco and Beijing.
For more information about Mubadala Investment Company, please visit: www.mubadala.com.

About Partners Group
Partners Group is one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry, with around 1,800 professionals and over $150 billion in overall assets under management. The firm has investment programs and custom mandates spanning private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real estate, and royalties. With its heritage in Switzerland and its primary presence in the Americas in Colorado, Partners Group is built differently from the rest of the industry. The firm leverages its differentiated culture and its operationally oriented approach to identify attractive investment themes and to transform businesses and assets into market leaders. For more information, please visit www.partnersgroup.com.

Media Contacts

– Spin-out of Scorpion Therapeutics, led by former Scorpion Therapeutics management team –

– Advancing multiple programs across cancer and other serious diseases; plans to advance first new product candidate into the clinic in 2026 –

– Series A financing co-led by Omega Funds, Atlas Venture, Lightspeed Venture Partners, BVF Partners, and Cormorant Asset Management, with participation from other leading healthcare funds –

BOSTON, Mass. – June 10, 2025 – Antares Therapeutics, Inc. (“Antares”), a biotechnology company developing first-in-class precision medicines for cancer and other serious diseases, launched today with $177 million in Series A financing. The financing was co-led by Omega Funds, Atlas Venture, Lightspeed Venture Partners, BVF Partners, and Cormorant Asset Management, with participation from Vinyanshu Ventures, Abingworth, Invus, Tenmile, Vida Ventures, and Willett Advisors.

Antares is a spin-out of Scorpion Therapeutics, Inc. (“Scorpion”), which sold its mutant-selective PI3Kα inhibitor program, STX-478, to Eli Lilly and Company (“Lilly”) in March 2025 for up to $2.5 billion in total consideration. Scorpion was founded in 2020 and, in the subsequent five years, raised a total of $420 million in financing, executed partnerships with multiple pharmaceutical companies, and generated six development candidates, three of which are in clinical testing. Antares is led by Scorpion’s former executive leadership team and is advancing a pipeline of small molecule assets developed at Scorpion, including programs in precision oncology and other therapeutic areas, as well as programs initiated through Scorpion’s 2022 transcription factor collaboration with AstraZeneca.

“We took our name from Antares, the brightest star in the Scorpius constellation, and known as ‘the heart of the Scorpion.’ We are building from a strong foundation with a team of experts who are experienced in making new medicines, as well as proprietary drug discovery capabilities and a robust preclinical pipeline fueled by discoveries in drugging previously inaccessible targets,” said Adam Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Antares and former Chief Executive Officer of Scorpion. “We are committed to leveraging our expertise to address well-validated, first-in-class targets across oncology and other serious diseases, and to continuing to execute a fast-to-clinic strategy to bring medicines to patients in need.”

“At Omega, we focus on identifying approaches and working with exceptional teams to deliver impactful products to patients,” said Otello Stampacchia, Ph.D., Founder and Managing Director at Omega Funds. “Antares meets each of these criteria. As one of the founding investors in Scorpion, we have had the opportunity to follow the company’s evolution very closely and have been consistently impressed by the breadth of the team’s capabilities, as well as their scientific rigor and rapid execution. I look forward to seeing the company’s vision advance by delivering differentiated, first-in-class products to treat some of the most important unmet medical needs.”

Additionally, Antares announced that Pierre Fabre Laboratories, with whom Scorpion previously partnered to advance two clinical-stage, highly selective next-generation mutant EGFR inhibitors for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, has acquired global rights to both programs. Under the terms of the agreement, Pierre Fabre Laboratories will lead the continued clinical development and global commercialization of both programs, and Antares will be eligible to receive regulatory and commercial milestones and tiered royalties.

Antares’ leadership team

Antares is led by the former Scorpion executive team, including leaders with accomplished track records in the biotechnology industry:

• Adam Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer
• Natasja Brooijmans, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Discovery Predictive Sciences
• Mark Chao, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer
• Andrew Fedder, General Counsel
• Angel Guzman-Perez, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Head of Chemistry
• Erica Jackson, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer
• Darrin Stuart, Ph.D., Chief Development Officer
• Amanda Valentino, Chief People Officer

The company’s Board of Directors are industry veterans with company-building expertise, as well as experience pioneering breakthrough medicines:

• Jeff Albers, J.D., M.B.A., Board Chair at Antares Therapeutics and Venture Partner at Atlas Venture
• Shelley Chu, M.D., Ph.D., Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners
• Keith Flaherty, M.D., Director of Clinical Research at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Professor at Harvard Medical School
• Jean-François Formela, M.D., Partner at Atlas Venture
• Adam Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Antares Therapeutics
• Sir Menelas Pangalos, Ph.D., formerly Executive Vice President of Biopharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca

“After years of investment into its proprietary drug discovery capabilities, the team at Antares has made notable progress to unlock the therapeutic potential of targets long seen as important – but undruggable – like the large class of transcription factors,” said Sir Menelas Pangalos, Ph.D., independent member of the Antares Board. “I look forward to partnering with the Antares team as they address some of the most complex challenges in science.”

“Antares will build on what Scorpion started: combining cutting edge computational and experimental chemistry and biology with laser-focused clinical development,” said Keith Flaherty, M.D., Director of Clinical Research at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. “This team has demonstrated an ability to break through longstanding limits in medicinal chemistry to advance a pipeline of first-in-class assets, aiming to change the treatment landscape for patients.”

About Antares Therapeutics

Antares Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing transformational, first-in-class precision medicines with a focus on validated, undruggable targets in cancer and other serious diseases with large unmet need. Antares’ most advanced program is expected to enter the clinic in 2026, with multiple additional programs in preclinical development. To learn more, visit www.antaresrx.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Emily Anderson
emily.anderson@antaresrx.com

Investor Contact:
Danielle Dudgeon
Precision AQ
danielle.dudgeon@precisionaq.com

New management, led by David Meek, is committed to rapidly scaling access to lifechanging gene therapies

Significant capital commitment from Carlyle and SK Capital will enable bluebird to grow and accelerate patient access

bluebird will focus on expanding manufacturing capacity and improving the treatment experience for patients and providers

SOMERVILLE, Mass. — June 2, 2025 — bluebird bio (NASDAQ: BLUE) (“bluebird”), a pioneer in gene therapies for severe genetic diseases, today announced the completion of its sale to funds managed by global investment firms Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) and SK Capital Partners, LP (“SK Capital”). With the closing of the transaction, bluebird’s common stock has ceased trading and will no longer be publicly listed. Carlyle and SK Capital have provided significant primary capital to support and scale bluebird’s commercial delivery of gene therapies for patients with sickle cell disease, β-thalassemia, and cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy.

David Meek, who became Chief Executive Officer of bluebird at close, said, “Today marks the beginning of a new era for bluebird as its go-forward financial backing and leadership team will better enable all stakeholders to realize the full potential of our revolutionary therapies. Historically, bluebird has excelled as a scientific innovator and should be very proud of the many achievements it has delivered to patients. Our vision is to further that legacy of scientific excellence while improving the commercial execution of our approved products to rapidly expand access to lifechanging gene therapies.”

“We are excited to back bluebird in partnership with SK Capital. We believe providing bluebird the necessary funding along with the new leadership team will help bluebird realize its full potential,” said Joe Bress, Carlyle Partner and Global Co-Head of Healthcare. Bali Muralidhar, Co-Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer & COO of Abingworth, Carlyle’s life sciences investment franchise, added, “There is an incredible opportunity to bring bluebird’s groundbreaking therapies to more patients in need, and we look forward to advancing bluebird in its mission.”

“SK Capital looks forward to partnering with David and his team as well as Carlyle to scale bluebird’s pioneering gene therapies that can make a lifechanging difference for patients around the world,” said Aaron Davenport, Managing Director at SK Capital, adding, “We believe our deep collective experience in manufacturing and commercializing therapies can help drive the next chapter of bluebird’s growth.”

Incoming Team Bolsters Commercial Gene Therapy Experience 

The company’s momentum is reinforced by a deeply experienced management team, led by CEO David Meek. David brings more than 30 years of leadership in life sciences, including as CEO of Mirati Therapeutics and Ipsen. David is joined by Tom Klima as Chief Commercial & Operating Officer, Debasish Roychowdhury, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer, Wendy DiCicco as Chief Financial Officer, and Ellen Forest as Chief People Officer. Additional details are available at https://www.bluebirdbio.com/about-us/leadership.

From Scientific Breakthroughs to Delivery at Scale

With the transaction now closed, bluebird is prioritizing expanding its manufacturing infrastructure, streamlining the patient journey, supporting treatment centers, and strengthening its payer partnerships. The acquisition provides the strategic and financial backing needed to meet rising demand and drive commercial and operational excellence across the organization.

“bluebird has demonstrated what’s possible through effective gene therapy,” David added. “Now we will build the ecosystem to ensure every patient who needs these therapies can access them.”

About bluebird bio

bluebird bio is a commercial-stage biotherapeutics company focused on developing and delivering gene therapies for severe genetic diseases. With more than a decade of scientific leadership in gene therapy and three FDA-approved therapies for sickle cell disease, β-thalassemia, and cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy, the company is committed to ensuring access, reliability, and patient-centered care. bluebird is headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts.

About Carlyle

Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across its business and conducts its operations through three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Carlyle AlpInvest. With $453 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2025, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies, and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,300 people in 29 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group.

About SK Capital

SK Capital is a transformational private investment firm with a disciplined focus on the life sciences, specialty materials, and ingredients sectors. The firm seeks to build resilient, sustainable, and growing businesses that create substantial long-term value. SK Capital aims to utilize its industry, operating, and investment experience to identify opportunities to transform businesses into higher performing organizations with improved strategic positioning, growth, and profitability, as well as lower operating risk. SK Capital currently has approximately $10 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2024. For more information, please visit www.skcapitalpartners.com.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on historical performance and current expectations and projections about bluebird’s future goals, plans and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond bluebird’s control and could cause bluebird’s future goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect bluebird bio’s business, particularly those identified in the risk factors discussion in bluebird bio’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the SEC. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the risk that the efficacy and safety results from bluebird’s prior and ongoing clinical trials will not continue or be seen in the commercial context; the risk that there is not sufficient patient demand or payer reimbursement to support continued commercialization of bluebird’s products; the risk of insertional oncogenic or other safety events associated with lentiviral vector, drug product, or myeloablation, including the risk of hematologic malignancy; and the risk that bluebird’s products will not be successfully commercialized. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law, bluebird bio undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

Contacts: 

Bluebird

Courtney O’Leary 

+1 (978) 621-7347

coleary@bluebirdbio.com

Carlyle

Brittany Berliner
+1 (212) 813-4839
brittany.berliner@carlyle.com

SK Capital

Ben Dillon

+1 (646) 278-1353 
bdillon@skcapitalpartners.com