Ajinomoto of Tokyo has entered an agreement to acquire San Diego-based Althea Technologies, a provider of biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing services. Ajinomoto will acquire all of the capital stock in Althea Technologies.

"We are thrilled that the company we founded 15 years ago will have the opportunity to accelerate its growth under the leadership of a highly successful global company such as Ajinomoto," said Drs. Magda Marquet and François Ferré, founders of Althea Technologies.

"In combining Ajinomoto's experience in biotechnology, together with Althea's sophisticated technology, experienced personnel, and expertise in cGMP manufacturing, we aspire to expand our business for biopharmaceuticals manufacturing in the U.S. market and strengthen our advanced biomedical businesses," said Masatoshi Ito, president and CEO of Ajinomoto.

The transaction is expected to close in early April, at which point Althea will become a fully consolidated subsidiary of Ajinomoto, a global manufacturer of high-quality seasonings, processed foods, beverages, amino acids, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals.

Althea Technologies is a fully integrated, contract development and manufacturing organization providing clinical and commercial product development services. Althea Technologies offers cGMP drug product filling in both vials and syringes, and production of microbial-derived recombinant proteins and plasmid DNA. In conjunction with these manufacturing operations, Althea Technologies offers comprehensive development services.