Intrexon to Acquire Oxitec, Pioneer of Innovative Insect Control Solutions Addressing Global Challenges
10 Aug, 2015, 13:00 BST
GERMANTOWN, Maryland, and OXFORD, England, Aug. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Intrexon Corporation (NYSE: XON), a leader in synthetic biology, announced today an agreement to acquire Oxitec Ltd., a pioneer in biological insect control solutions. Oxitec's safe, innovative, self-limiting approach to control mosquitoes that spread disease and to limit pest-related crop damage is well aligned with Intrexon's growth and investment strategies.
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Intrexon's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Randal J. Kirk commented, "Oxitec's technology demonstrates that engineered biology can solve some of mankind's most difficult problems – many that have eluded solutions for a very long time – while exercising tremendous respect for the environment. In particular, to be able to induce a population decline in a major disease vector and know your intervention does not propagate in the environment is an historic achievement. Oxitec and Intrexon share a vision for, and an overriding commitment to, a safer, healthier, and more sustainable planet, and because our technology platforms are so complementary, we believe this combination will allow us to address a wider range of threats to global health and food security in new, responsible and exciting ways. I am proud to welcome Oxitec and its accomplished people to the Intrexon team."
"We are excited to be joining forces with Intrexon and see this partnership as key to developing sustainable solutions to some of the world's most intractable health and agriculture problems and making them available on a global basis," stated Hadyn Parry, Chief Executive Officer of Oxitec. "We look forward to making a difference in people's lives that much sooner as part of Intrexon."
Utilizing advanced genetics and molecular biology, Oxitec has developed a new and innovative solution to controlling insect populations through the production of 'sterile', self-limiting insects whose offspring do not survive. Unlike conventional approaches to insect control using insecticides that can affect the broader ecosystem, Oxitec programs are exquisitely directed at a single species. Intrexon intends to integrate its synthetic biology platform to advance Oxitec's existing initiatives to protect communities from diseases like dengue fever as well as against agricultural pests that impact food supply worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization, dengue is the world's fastest growing mosquito-borne disease spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. A recent estimate indicates a potential 390 million dengue infections per year, of which 96 million manifest clinically. Dengue continues to grow in both prevalence and severity as current methods, relying mostly on insecticides, have not been adequate to control the spread of the mosquitoes. Open field trials with Oxitec's mosquitoes have taken place in Brazil, Panama, Grand Cayman and Malaysia, with over 90% reduction of the Aedes aegypti pest population reported in each efficacy trial. Brazil's National Technical Commission for Biosecurity (CTNBio) approved the safety of Oxitec's mosquitoes in 2014, an important step towards full commercialization of this groundbreaking, and potentially life-saving, technology.
In addition to health programs, Intrexon will work on furthering Oxitec's technology applications in agriculture as an estimated 20% to 40% of food production is lost every year to insect pests despite widespread pesticide use. Oxitec's approach is ideal for use as part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, which many growers around the world are adopting to produce food in a more sustainable manner. Due to its species-specificity and low environmental impact, Oxitec solutions are ideal for use in IPM by making insect control more cost effective, safer, and applicable to a wider range of crops and pests.
Pursuant to the definitive agreement, Oxitec's stockholders will receive approximately $80 million in Intrexon common stock and $80 million in cash. Consummation of the transaction, anticipated in the second half of 2015, is subject to customary closing conditions.
About Intrexon Corporation
Intrexon Corporation (NYSE: XON) is Powering the Bioindustrial Revolution with Better DNA™ to create biologically-based products that improve the quality of life and the health of the planet. The Company's integrated technology suite provides its partners across diverse markets with industrial-scale design and development of complex biological systems delivering unprecedented control, quality, function, and performance of living cells. We call our synthetic biology approach Better DNA®, and we invite you to discover more at www.dna.com.
About Oxitec
Oxitec is a pioneer in using genetic engineering to control insect pests that spread disease and damage crops, and was founded in 2002 as a spinout from Oxford University (UK).
Safe Harbor Statement
Some of the statements made in this press release are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations and projections about future events and generally relate to our plans, objectives and expectations for the development of our business. Although management believes that the plans and objectives reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and actual future results may be materially different from the plans, objectives and expectations expressed in this press release.
For more information, contact:
Intrexon Corporation Contacts:
Investor Contact:
Christopher Basta
Vice President, Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (561) 410-7052
investors@intrexon.com
Corporate Contact:
Marie Rossi, Ph.D.
Senior Manager, Technical Communications
Tel: +1 (301) 556-9850
publicrelations@intrexon.com
Oxitec Contact:
Press contact:
Chris Creese
Tel: +44-(0)1235-832393
info@oxitec.com
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SOURCE Intrexon Corporation