# MaxCyte's $151.8M Akron Bio deal puts cell engineering and the reagents around it under one supplier - Published: 2026-11-10 - Author: [Healthcare News](https://healthcarenews.io/author/healthcarenews-io.md) - Topics: [News](https://healthcarenews.io/news.md) - About: [MaxCyte, Inc.](https://maxcyte.com/), [Akron Bio](https://www.akronbiotech.com/) - Based on: [MaxCyte to Acquire Akron Bio, Expanding its Offerings Across Cell Therapy Manufacturing and Expecting to Nearly Double Revenue Base](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/11/10/3399272/0/en/maxcyte-to-acquire-akron-bio-expanding-its-offerings-across-cell-therapy-manufacturing-and-expecting-to-nearly-double-revenue-base.html), GlobeNewswire, 2026-11-10 - Based on: [Approved Cellular and Gene Therapy Products](https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/cellular-gene-therapy-products/approved-cellular-and-gene-therapy-products), U.S. Food and Drug Administration - Based on: [MaxCyte, Inc. Form 8-K, November 10, 2026](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1287098/000110465926124829/tm2629420d1_8k.htm), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission - Based on: [MaxCyte investor presentation on the Akron Bio acquisition (Exhibit 99.3)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1287098/000110465926124829/tm2629420d1_ex99-3.htm), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission - Source: https://healthcarenews.io/news/maxcyte-akron-bio-acquisition-cell-therapy-reagents/ - Publication: Healthcare News - Publisher: Connectively (Terkel, Inc.) - Editorial policy: https://healthcarenews.io/editorial-policy/ - AI use: Connectively's automated system wrote this article with AI from a press release issued by MaxCyte on November 10, 2026, linked under Sources. Statements about the company and its products are the company's. The illustration was generated with AI. The article was assembled and published automatically, without an editor's review. Report errors to corrections@connectively.us. The MaxCyte Akron Bio acquisition puts two suppliers that cell therapy makers build into their FDA filings under one owner. MaxCyte, the Rockville, Maryland cell-engineering company, said on November 10, 2026, that it agreed to buy Akron Bio, a Florida maker of manufacturing reagents, for $151.8 million. ## Key points - MaxCyte will pay $151.8 million in total, in cash, shares and two deferred payments, according to the release. - The seller is Arcline Investment Management, which takes the MaxCyte shares as part of the price. - MaxCyte says Akron is expected to bring in about $28 million in revenue and $7-8 million in EBITDA in 2026, nearly doubling MaxCyte's revenue base. - MaxCyte says the combined portfolio is used in the manufacture of five commercially approved therapies and supports more than 100 clinical programs. - The deal is expected to close before the end of 2026 and does not need stockholder approval or financing. ## What does the MaxCyte Akron Bio acquisition combine? It combines the step where cells are engineered with the materials used around it. MaxCyte makes Flow Electroporation systems, which use electrical pulses to get genetic cargo into cells. Akron supplies cytokines, growth factors, human plasma-derived products and media used to grow, process and freeze those cells, from expansion through cryopreservation, and developed its Closed System Solutions line to streamline production. MaxCyte says both companies' products sit inside customers' validated manufacturing processes and are backed by drug master files that drug developers cite in their IND and BLA filings. MaxCyte says that builds long-term customer relationships, and it counts the combined consumables sales as recurring revenue. ## How many cell therapies could this supply chain touch? The FDA's [list of approved cellular and gene therapy products](https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/cellular-gene-therapy-products/approved-cellular-and-gene-therapy-products), current as of October 30, 2026, names 55 licensed products, including seven CAR-T cell therapies such as Kymriah, Yescarta and Carvykti. MaxCyte says the combined company will be part of the manufacturing workflow for five of the approved therapies, and its [investor presentation](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1287098/000110465926124829/tm2629420d1_ex99-3.htm) says the deal takes its commercial and registrational programs from 4 to 12. Because Akron's products are used with several cell-engineering methods, MaxCyte says the deal also takes it, historically focused on non-viral engineering, into the viral ex vivo cell therapy market. > This acquisition represents a significant step forward for us, expanding our presence across the viral and non-viral cell therapy development and manufacturing workflow, while projecting to nearly double our revenue base and accelerate our path to profitability. > > — Maher Masoud, President and Chief Executive Officer, MaxCyte ## How is MaxCyte paying for it? With cash, stock and a new loan. The [release](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/11/10/3399272/0/en/maxcyte-to-acquire-akron-bio-expanding-its-offerings-across-cell-therapy-manufacturing-and-expecting-to-nearly-double-revenue-base.html) sets out the price this way: | Part of the price | Amount | When | |---|---|---| | Cash | $105.0 million, subject to customary adjustments | At closing | | MaxCyte common stock | 20,639,733 shares, about $26.8 million at the November 9, 2026 close | At closing | | Guaranteed deferred payments | $10.0 million each | First business day of January 2028 and of January 2029 | | Total | $151.8 million | | Against MaxCyte's own 2026 projections for Akron, the price works out to roughly 5.4 times expected revenue and about 19 to 22 times expected EBITDA, based on the figures in the [release](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/11/10/3399272/0/en/maxcyte-to-acquire-akron-bio-expanding-its-offerings-across-cell-therapy-manufacturing-and-expecting-to-nearly-double-revenue-base.html). MaxCyte's [Form 8-K](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1287098/000110465926124829/tm2629420d1_8k.htm), filed with the SEC on November 10, 2026, shows the purchase agreement was signed on November 9 with Ohio TopCo LP and Arcline Capital Partners A LP, both Arcline affiliates, and that the shares will be issued to them at closing. Alongside the deal, MaxCyte says it has secured a credit facility of up to $75.0 million from MidCap Financial, a $55.0 million term loan plus a $20.0 million revolver, and expects to draw $20.0 million and $2.0 million of them at closing to help fund the combined company until it is profitable. The company expects to have about $40 million to $45 million in cash at closing and says Akron's earnings should cut the combined company's annual cash burn to under $10 million in 2027. > Our decision to accept MaxCyte shares as part of the consideration reflects our confidence in the combined company's long-term value and allows us to participate in its future success. > > — Arcline Investment Management ## What does this mean for cell therapy developers? Our analysis: for teams running CAR-T and other engineered-cell programs, the practical change is that the electroporation step and the reagents around it, both already written into regulatory filings, can now come from one company. MaxCyte says the two companies have limited customer overlap and plans to sell Akron's products through its own sales force, and Akron will keep operating under its own brand. For background on the wider market these suppliers serve, see our coverage of [cell and gene therapy manufacturing services](https://healthcarenews.io/news/the-cell-and-gene-therapy-manufacturing-services-market-is-projected-to-grow-steadily-at-a/) and of the [cell cryopreservation market](https://healthcarenews.io/news/the-global-cell-cryopreservation-market-is-projected-to-grow-at-a-21-1-cagr-throughout-the/). ## Frequently asked questions ### How much is MaxCyte paying for Akron Bio? $151.8 million in total: $105.0 million in cash at closing, about $26.8 million in MaxCyte stock and $20.0 million in deferred payments in 2028 and 2029. ### When will the deal close? MaxCyte expects it to close before the end of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. ### Where is Akron Bio based, and will it keep its name? Akron is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, and MaxCyte says Akron will keep its own brand, and that its leaders and staff will have a significant part in the combined company. ### What is MaxCyte's stock ticker? MaxCyte trades on the Nasdaq under the symbol MXCT. ### Who advised on the deal? Stifel and Sidley Austin advised MaxCyte; Jefferies, Bass, Berry & Sims and Fredrikson & Byron advised Arcline. ## Sources - [MaxCyte to Acquire Akron Bio, Expanding its Offerings Across Cell Therapy Manufacturing and Expecting to Nearly Double Revenue Base](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/11/10/3399272/0/en/maxcyte-to-acquire-akron-bio-expanding-its-offerings-across-cell-therapy-manufacturing-and-expecting-to-nearly-double-revenue-base.html): press release from MaxCyte via GlobeNewswire, 10 November 2026. - [Approved Cellular and Gene Therapy Products](https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/cellular-gene-therapy-products/approved-cellular-and-gene-therapy-products): the FDA's list of licensed products from its Office of Therapeutic Products, content current as of 30 October 2026. - [MaxCyte, Inc. Form 8-K](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1287098/000110465926124829/tm2629420d1_8k.htm): the company's SEC filing on the purchase agreement, 10 November 2026. - [Investor presentation, Exhibit 99.3](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1287098/000110465926124829/tm2629420d1_ex99-3.htm): MaxCyte's presentation on the acquisition, filed with the 8-K.