Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) announced today that Danaher has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held Aldevron, for a cash purchase price of approximately $9.6 billion. Danaher expects to finance the acquisition using cash on hand and/or proceeds from the issuance of commercial paper. View Danaher's full press release on their website.

Aruvant Sciences, a private company focused on developing gene therapies for rare diseases, and Aldevron, the leading provider of high-quality plasmid DNA, mRNA and recombinant proteins necessary for vaccines, gene and cell therapy, gene editing and diagnostic applications, announced today that Aldevron will support the development of ARU-1801, Aruvant’s one-time investigational gene therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD), and ARU-2801, a one-time investigational gene therapy for hypophosphatasia (HPP). Aldevron will provide good manufacturing practice (GMP)-grade plasmid for Aruvant’s upcoming ARU-1801 pivotal trial.

Moderna, Inc. (Nasdaq:MRNA), and Aldevron have announced their expanded collaboration in support of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and additional programs in Moderna’s clinical development pipeline. Specifically, Aldevron will supply plasmid DNA to serve as the genetic template for generating the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine and other investigational programs in Moderna’s pipeline.

Aldevron hosted its first Breakthrough Symposium (BTS) in Fall 2018 with an exciting lineup of industry leaders presenting their research and how it affects the present, and the future, of finding solutions to the world’s biggest health challenges.

Aldevron, the world’s leading biomanufacturer of plasmid DNA, mRNA and proteins, is expanding its commercial leadership with the addition of Beth Thompson-Webb as Chief Commercial Officer and Todd Howren as Vice President of Sales.