Ajinomoto Co., Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Forge Biologics, a manufacturer of genetic medicines, for $620 million in cash. 
 
Forge is a viral vector and plasmid CDMO and clinical-stage therapeutics company. All development and manufacturing is done at Forge’s 200,000 sq.-ft. custom-designed cGMP facility in Columbus, OH, where the business has more than 300 employees. 
 
“We’re excited to join Ajinomoto Co. to continue to expand our global business of helping innovators manufacture much needed genetic medicines,” said Timothy J. Miller, Ph.D., CEO, President, and Co-founder of Forge. “Our teams share a commitment to investing in innovation that helps our clients succeed in delivering therapies to patients in need. This transaction will support us in advancing that mission into our next global stage of development to expand our capabilities and platform for the benefit of our clients and their patients.” 
 
“Forge’s unparalleled expertise in gene therapy development and manufacturing will be a transformative addition to our core growth area of Healthcare. Forge brings to Ajinomoto an entirely new capability that will vitally enhance our Bio- Pharma Services business and help create new value through innovative solutions,” said Yasuyuki Otake, Corporate Executive, General Manager of Bio-Pharma Services Department of Ajinomoto Co. “We look forward to working with Forge’s incredibly talented team and state-of-the-art specialized manufacturing facility to expand our platform technologies.”