AmplifyBio Shuts Down Operations
A challenging biotech investment landscape is shaking up the industry and having a negative impact on multiple CDMOs in the space.
Advanced therapy combination CRO and CDMO, AmplifyBio, has announced it has shut down after four years of operations (1). The company announced its closure on Friday April 4, 2025, specifying the decision came “after months of tireless efforts by the AmplifyBio leadership team, investors, and other key stakeholders to explore and exhaust all investment and acquisition possibilities,” in a post on its website (2).
Launched by Battelle in 2021, AmplifyBio was set up to focus on the research and development of next generation therapies, including cell and gene therapies (3). The CDMO operated in its own footprint housed within Battelle’s West Jefferson, Ohio campus and was backed by Battelle and other outside investors. AmplifyBio’s closure comes only 14 months after the company officially opened its Manufacturing Enablement Center in New Albany, Ohio, which was aimed at creating a fully integrated development pathway for clients (4).
This latest closure news further demonstrates how the biotech investment landscape is becoming increasingly challenging, with other CDMOs also feeling the effects. For example, only a couple of months prior to AmplifyBio’s announcement, Rentschler Biopharma revealed its plans to withdraw from the cell and gene therapy field, shutting down its operations in Stevenage, U.K., to increase its focus on biologics (5).
“As an innovation leader, we continuously evaluate new approaches to meet the needs of our clients and their patients. The cell and gene therapy market has experienced slower-than-expected growth, with demand across the industry not meeting our expectations. Following a comprehensive strategic review, we are focusing our efforts on areas where we see the greatest demand and potential to create value sustainably. Biologics remain central to our operations, while we continue to evaluate other potential modalities, leveraging our expertise and outstanding track record of delivering the exceptional quality and service our clients rely on,” said Benedikt von Braunmühl, CEO of Rentschler Biopharma, in a press release (5). “The dedication and performance of our Stevenage-based team has been exceptional, and I would like to thank everyone for their valuable contributions. We are committed to supporting the affected employees by providing resources and assistance during this transition period.”
Other companies that have announced cutbacks over recent months include Thermo Fisher Scientific, which has let 300 employees go from its viral vector facilities in Cambridge and Plainville, Mass. (6); and Charles River Laboratories, which has closed its Durham County, North Carolina, site in a strategic re-shuffling (7).
References
Weiker, J.; Hendrickson, S. Central Ohio Biotech Firm AmplifyBio Shuts Down. The Columbus Dispatch, April 4, 2025.
AmplifyBio. Important Announcement: AmplifyBio Operations Closure. Amplify-bio.com [accessed April 9, 2025].
AmplifyBio. $200 Million Start-up Will Focus on Development of Next Generation Therapies. Press Release, May 3, 2021.
AmplifyBio. AmplifyBio Celebrates Grand Opening of Manufacturing Enablement Center in New Albany, Ohio. Press Release, Feb. 1, 2024.
Rentschler Biopharma. Rentschler Biopharma Announces Strategic Realignment of its Global Business Operations. Press Release, Jan. 30, 2025.
Green, H. Thermo Fisher’s Latest Job Cuts Impact Hundreds of Massachusetts Employees. Boston Business Journal, Feb. 3, 2025.
Ezzone, Z. Billion-Dollar Pharma Company to Close Triangle Sites. Triangle Business Journal, Jan. 29, 2025.