As part of its strategic plan to be the world leader in Gene-editing, Horizon discovery has announced the acqusition of Sage labs, a US-based maker of advanced in vivo transgenic models for use in preclinical research. Horizon will be paying $16 million in cash and aboout $32 million in new issue shares.

Sage labs was formerly a part of Sigma-Aldrich, before being bought by Telegraph Hill Partners in 2013. The company has over 50 employees and 43,000 sq ft of excellent facilities.

With this acqusition, Horizon adds to its extensive portfolio of Intellectual property of CRISPR, rAVV and gains exclusive access to ZFN for in-vivo model generation. The company will also be expanding its range of genetically engineered preclinical models used ot develop drugs for specific genetic diseases like cancer. The combined gene-editing platform will make the global player the go-to for innovative solutions in personalized medicine and treatment. It will also open up new market areas wherein Sage has a strong presence and which would add to the company's already exisiting business lines.

Horizon, on its part will focus on expanding Sage's mostly US-based market to Europe and Japan. The acqusition is to be completed tomorrow, 2 October, 2014.

Dr Darrin M Disley, CEO of Horizon Discovery Group, commented,"The acquisition positions Horizon as the world-leader in gene-editing and at the forefront of technological advances in the field of translational genomics. The consolidated offering significantly strengthens Horizon commercially, allowing us to offer product, service and R&D programs to customers engaged at every stage of translational genomics and personalized medicine research from sequence to treatment."