Maravai LifeSciences Acquires Assets and Intellectual Property from Molecular Assemblies

Rhea-AI Summary

Maravai LifeSciences (NASDAQ: MRVI) has announced the acquisition of intellectual property and assets from Molecular Assemblies (MAI), focusing on their proprietary Fully Enzymatic Synthesis technology. This strategic move aims to enhance mRNA and oligonucleotide manufacturing capabilities within the TriLink BioTechnologies business.

The acquisition will expand Maravai and TriLink's ability to support customers in developing next-generation mRNA and CRISPR nucleic acid-based therapies. The company plans to integrate MAI's enzymatic DNA synthesis platform to improve oligo length and purity while reducing costs through vertical integration of NTPs and enzymes from their TriLink and Alphazyme businesses.

TriLink plans to incorporate DNA template manufacturing in their mRNA business and expand custom oligo offerings to support gene assembly, antibody screening, and CRISPR HDR donor workflows.

Positive

• Acquisition of proprietary enzymatic synthesis technology enhances manufacturing capabilities
• Vertical integration opportunity through TriLink and Alphazyme businesses to reduce costs
• Expansion into DNA template manufacturing and custom oligo offerings
• Strategic enhancement of CRISPR and mRNA therapy development capabilities

Negative

• None.

Insights

Biotechnology Industry Analyst

This strategic acquisition marks a significant advancement in Maravai's nucleic acid synthesis capabilities, particularly through their TriLink BioTechnologies subsidiary. The integration of Molecular Assemblies' Fully Enzymatic Synthesis™ technology represents a important competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving mRNA therapeutics and CRISPR markets.

The acquisition's value stems from three key factors: First, the enzymatic DNA synthesis platform offers technical advantages over traditional chemical synthesis methods, potentially enabling longer oligonucleotide sequences with higher purity - critical for advanced therapeutic applications. Second, the vertical integration of NTPs (nucleoside triphosphates) and enzymes from TriLink and Alphazyme operations could significantly reduce production costs and improve margins. Third, the expanded capabilities in DNA template manufacturing strengthen Maravai's position in the growing mRNA manufacturing sector.

The timing of this acquisition is particularly strategic as the market for mRNA-based therapeutics continues to expand beyond vaccines into various therapeutic areas. The enhanced capabilities in custom oligo production for gene assembly and CRISPR HDR donor workflows position Maravai to capture increased market share in the growing gene editing sector.

From a competitive standpoint, acquiring Molecular Assemblies' foundational IP in enzymatic oligo synthesis provides Maravai with significant barriers to entry against competitors. This technology acquisition could translate into improved operational efficiency and potentially higher profit margins through reduced production costs and enhanced manufacturing capabilities.

Molecular Assemblies proprietary Fully Enzymatic Synthesis^TM technology to enhance mRNA and oligonucleotide manufacturing capabilities within the TriLink BioTechnologies business

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Maravai LifeSciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRVI), a global provider of life science reagents and services to researchers and biotech innovators, announced today its acquisition of intellectual property and relevant assets from Molecular Assemblies (MAI). The acquisition will expand Maravai and TriLink BioTechnologies' ability to enable customers to develop next-generation mRNA and CRISPR nucleic acid-based therapies.

“Molecular Assemblies is the original leader in enzymatic oligo synthesis, with strong foundational IP. Their team has made great strides in designing and developing an enzymatic DNA synthesis platform with exciting technical advantages over traditional chemical synthesis,” said Trey Martin, CEO of Maravai LifeSciences. “We plan to further evolve and enhance Molecular Assemblies’ workflows to push the limits of oligo length and purity, and to lower costs by vertically integrating NTPs and enzymes from our TriLink and Alphazyme businesses.”

Justin Barbosa, GM and Vice President of TriLink Discovery, added “By integrating Molecular Assemblies technology into TriLink’s capabilities, we can further incorporate DNA template manufacturing in our mRNA business. We also plan to expand our custom oligo offerings to support gene assembly, antibody screening, and CRISPR HDR donor workflows.”

Bill Efcavitch, Co-Founder of Molecular Assemblies, said, “We are pleased our customers will continue to be supported by TriLink, a leader in nucleic acid manufacturing with an excellent reputation for high quality and scientific expertise. TriLink is well positioned to advance and expand our technology as they work with innovators who are developing the next generation of nucleic acid-based vaccines and therapeutics.”

About Maravai

Maravai is a leading life sciences company providing critical products to enable the development of drug therapies, diagnostics and novel vaccines and to support research on human diseases. Maravai’s companies are leaders in providing products and services in the fields of nucleic acid synthesis and biologics safety testing to many of the world's leading biopharmaceutical, vaccine, diagnostics and cell and gene therapies companies.

About Molecular Assemblies

Molecular Assemblies, Inc. is a private life sciences company developing an enzymatic DNA synthesis technology designed to power the next generation of DNA-based products. The company’s patented Fully Enzymatic Synthesis (or FES™), based on making DNA the way nature makes DNA, produces long, high quality, sequence-specific DNA reliably, affordably, and sustainably. FES technology will enable the reading and writing of DNA for many industries, including industrial synthetic biology and precision medicine, as well as emerging applications of nanomachines and bio-based electronics. Molecular Assemblies is headquartered in San Diego.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release which are not strictly historical statements constitute forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements related to plans to further develop workflows to enhance oligo length and purity, plans to lower costs by vertically integrating NTPs and enzymes, and plans to expand product and service offerings, constitute forward-looking statements identified by words like “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “may,” “soon,” “nears,” “slated,” “anticipate,” or “could” and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, without limitation, operational risks and competition. These and other risks and uncertainties are described in greater detail in the “Risk Factors” section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as other reports on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements, and therefore you should not rely upon them. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views and we do not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect a change in its views or events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250128647933/en/

Media Contact:

Liz Robinson

CG Life

trilink@cglife.com

Investor Contact:

Deb Hart

Maravai LifeSciences

+ 1 858-988-5917

ir@maravai.com

Source: Maravai LifeSciences, Inc.

FAQ

What assets did Maravai LifeSciences (MRVI) acquire from Molecular Assemblies?

Maravai LifeSciences acquired Molecular Assemblies' intellectual property and relevant assets, including their proprietary Fully Enzymatic Synthesis technology for mRNA and oligonucleotide manufacturing.

How will the Molecular Assemblies acquisition benefit MRVI's manufacturing capabilities?

The acquisition will enhance Maravai's ability to manufacture mRNA and oligonucleotides, improve oligo length and purity, and reduce costs through vertical integration of NTPs and enzymes from TriLink and Alphazyme businesses.

What new markets will MRVI expand into with the Molecular Assemblies technology?

MRVI will expand into DNA template manufacturing, gene assembly, antibody screening, and CRISPR HDR donor workflows through their TriLink business unit.

How does the Molecular Assemblies acquisition align with MRVI's strategic goals?

The acquisition aligns with MRVI's strategy to enhance capabilities in next-generation mRNA and CRISPR nucleic acid-based therapies development, while strengthening their position in nucleic acid manufacturing.