Canopy finds shelter for Zellkraftwerk

Zellkraftwerk, a Germany-based cytometry technology supplier spun out of Hannover Medical School, was acquired for an undisclosed sum yesterday by gene editing and analysis company Canopy Biosciences.
In conjunction with the acquisition, Canopy Biosciences has obtained an undisclosed amount of strategic growth funding from private equity firm Ampersand Capital Partners.
Zellkraftwerk offers a chip-based cytometry technology that enables high-throughput multiplex processing and prolonged storage of cellular samples and tissues for bioanalysis purposes such as biomarker discovery.
The company operates two businesses, focused on cytometry equipment and clinical-grade services.
Canopy Biosciences’ product range includes gene editing, gene expression and bioprocessing technologies. With the acquisition, it hopes to build a “multi-omics” play combining its genomics offering with Zellkraftwerk’s expertise in cell and tissue analysis.
Meanwhile, Zellkraftwerk is expected to tap Canopy and Ampersand’s resources to expand its scale and offering, building on its market presence in the US, Europe and Asia. Frank Witney, operating partner at Ampersand, will become chairman of Canopy.
Zellkraftwerk was founded in 2014 – with assistance from multi-institute life sciences tech transfer company Ascenion – by Christian Hennig, the former project leader for chip cytometry at Hannover Medical School, and Jan Detmers, the spinout’s chief executive.
The company does not appear to have previously disclosed equity funding.
Edward Weinstein, co-founder and chief executive of Canopy Biosciences, said: “I am excited to complete the transformational acquisition of Zellkraftwerk and begin our partnership with Ampersand.
“Ampersand’s expertise and resources will benefit Canopy as we build a broader product and service offering for our customers, and the Zellkraftwerk acquisition provides a meaningful contribution to this strategy.”