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Caprion, HistoGeneX Combining to Form New Firm

NEW YORK – Caprion Biosciences and HistoGeneX said today that they are combining their businesses to form a new company focused on immune monitoring and biomarker development.

The new firm, whose name was not disclosed, will provide immune monitoring and biomarker services to biopharma companies, offering tools for preclinical work through to late-stage clinical trials and companion diagnostic development.

Services will include multiparametric flow cytometry for immune system response monitoring; quantitative mass spectrometry for large-scale proteomic profiling and targeted quantitative bioanalytical assays; single and multiplexed immunohistochemistry assays; and molecular pathology assays; as well as others, the firms said.

Caprion said three months ago that it had acquired immune monitoring firm Serametrix.

The partnership between Montreal-based Caprion and Antwerp, Belgium-based HistoGeneX is being facilitated by investment from Arsenal Capital Partners, a New York City-based private equity firm. Terms of its investment were not disclosed.

"This partnership is the result of our continued efforts to back market leading, strategically important platforms that systemically improve the efficacy and efficiency of the biopharmaceutical drug development process," Stephen McLean, senior partner at Arsenal, said in a statement. "We are excited to support the development of the new business through continued investment in next generation technology solutions and more integrated services, further international expansion and complementary acquisitions to support the global needs of biopharmaceutical companies across the drug development life cycle."

"We found a shared vision with the leadership of HistoGeneX and Arsenal to create the global leader in immune monitoring and drug development services and solutions," said Martin LeBlanc, co-founder of Caprion. "We look forward to continuing to deliver high quality science and superior service and are very excited about what this combination means for our client partners and employees."

LeBlanc will be CEO and a director of the new company. David Spaight, an operating partner at Arsenal, will be executive chairman. HistoGeneX Founders Mark Kockxx and Dirk Hendriks will join the company's board.

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