Thermo Fisher Scientific and Mirai Bio Forge Partnership to Advance Gene Therapy Development and Production

In a significant move for the gene therapy sector, Thermo Fisher Scientific, a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), has announced a collaborative agreement with biotech startup Mirai Bio. This partnership aims to accelerate the development and production of novel gene therapies, combining Thermo Fisher's extensive manufacturing capabilities with Mirai's cutting-edge technology platform.

Collaboration Details and Technology Integration

The collaboration, announced on May 20, 2025, will leverage Thermo Fisher's development expertise, manufacturing capacity, and global reach alongside Mirai Bio's innovative approach to nucleic acid therapeutics. Mirai Bio, a Flagship Pioneering company unveiled in September 2024, utilizes advanced algorithms to customize gene therapies for specific tissues and cell types, while also optimizing therapeutic cargo.

Justine Levin-Allerhand, an executive partner at Flagship, highlighted the potential of this partnership, stating, "The combination of Mirai's innovation in targeted delivery and cargo design and Thermo Fisher's deep technical and commercial manufacturing expertise will maximize opportunities for the co-creation of novel medicines and help realize the full potential of both enterprises."

While financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, the partnership is expected to streamline key manufacturing steps and accelerate the transition of gene therapies into clinical trials.

Thermo Fisher's Continued U.S. Investment

This collaboration comes on the heels of Thermo Fisher's recent announcement of a $2 billion investment in its U.S. production operations over the next four years. The majority of this investment will be directed towards manufacturing facilities, with $500 million earmarked for research and development operations.

Thermo Fisher's decision aligns with a broader trend of increased pharmaceutical investment in the United States, following similar commitments from industry giants such as Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, and Roche. This wave of domestic investment comes amid ongoing discussions about potential sector-specific tariffs, although pharmaceuticals were initially excluded from tariffs imposed in early April.

Currently, Thermo Fisher operates 64 facilities across 37 U.S. states and maintains a presence in 43 other countries. The company's global workforce stood at approximately 125,000 at the end of the previous year, with over 50,000 employees based in the United States.