Nexelis, a portfolio company of Ampersand Capital Partners, and a provider of assay development and advanced laboratory testing has signed a definitive agreement to acquire ImmunXperts. The closing of the transaction is expected by the end of March.

Based in the Brussels South Charleroi Biopark within the town of Gosselies, ImmunXperts has developed and performs a full offering of immunogenicity and immuno-oncology in vitro functional and potency assays. These assays help pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors screen, select and optimize lead compounds before the initiation of in vivo trials. The company, whose CEO is Thibault Jonckheere, was co-created in 2014 by immunology expert Sofie Pattijn, who serves as ImmunXperts CTO, and investors including Sambrinvest. Both Dr Pattijn and Mr. Jonckheere will continue in senior leadership roles at Nexelis.

“ImmunXperts’ immunology testing expertise will help Nexelis more broadly serve the needs of our customers” said Benoit Bouche, president and chief executive officer, Nexelis. “Nexelis will now have an unrivaled ability to efficiently develop immunogenicity assays, qualify and validate them in a regulated environment, and then ultimately perform them utilizing our high-throughput platforms in support of clinical trials.”