• Allows Envigo, a leading supplier of standard research models, to offer transgenic research models and associated services to its global customer base
• Horizon transgenic model generation and contract breeding expertise are a natural combination with Envigo operational and commercial capabilities
• Envigo and Horizon will collaborate to continue providing CRISPR screening services

Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, November 08, 2019 — Envigo RMS LLC (“Envigo”), a leading global supplier of research models and associated services announces an agreement to acquire the assets of the research models business unit of Horizon Discovery Group plc (“Horizon”, LSE:HZD). The transaction is expected to be completed within 30-45 days and is subject to customary closing conditions.

Horizon’s research models business unit, which provides genetically engineered models and services from its locations in St Louis, Missouri and Boyertown, Pennsylvania, USA, will be transferred to Envigo ownership, including assets and employees. The business unit uses gene-editing technology and expertise to produce customized models with relevant gene deletions, insertions and other modifications, which are then used as models for human disease during drug discovery and development. The two companies will collaborate to ensure continuity and enable all customers to access CRISPR-edited research models for screening and other applications. Customers should continue to work with their contacts at Horizon and Envigo as they have done to date, for all projects.

Envigo, which is headquartered in the US, has more than 1,200 employees in more than 20 locations across North America and Europe, and is a market-leading provider of a broad range of standard research models to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, government, academia and other life science organizations.

Dr Adrian Hardy, President and CEO of Envigo, commented:
“Envigo has a strong strategic rationale for this acquisition. We already provide the industry’s broadest range of research models to the global biopharma, academia, government and other life science organisations, so we can provide the necessary scale and commercial infrastructure to more broadly market genetically engineered rodent models and associated services.”

“The genetic-modification technologies expertise of the acquired business is an important addition to our portfolio to enable us to further expand the range of products and services available to Envigo customers. We are delighted to welcome the team to the Envigo family and look forward to a strong continued collaboration with Horizon for future activities.”

Terry Pizzie, Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Discovery, added:
“We are pleased to announce this transaction with a strong commercial partner, Envigo, which will provide an opportunity for the research models business to flourish within a larger, market-leading company and also provide continuity for its many customer relationships. On an on-going basis, Envigo will collaborate with Horizon where its customers can benefit from In Vivo research, particularly in CRISPR screening. This transaction is beneficial for all parties and fully in line with our Investing for Growth strategy.”

About Envigo www.envigo.com
Envigo provides the broadest range of standard research models to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, government, academia and other life science organizations. The company has over 1,200 devoted employees in more than 20 locations across North America and Europe.

As the largest organization that is solely dedicated to providing research models and related products and services, we are committed to helping researchers realize the full potential of their critical R&D projects as we fulfil our mission to work together to build a healthier and safer world.

About Horizon Discovery Group plc www.horizondiscovery.com
Horizon Discovery Group plc (LSE: HZD) ("Horizon") drives the application of gene editing and gene modulation within the global life science market – supporting scientists on the path from research to therapy.

Built upon more than a decade of experience in the engineering of cell lines, Horizon offers an unmatched portfolio of tools and services to help scientists gain a greater understanding of gene function, identify genetic drivers behind human disease, deliver biotherapeutics, cellular and gene therapies for precision medicine as well as develop and validate diagnostic workflows.

Horizon’s solutions enable almost any gene to be altered, or its function modulated, in human and other mammalian cell lines.

The Company’s customers include many of the world’s foremost academic institutes, global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as clinical diagnostic laboratories. Insight into the challenges faced by these organizations enables Horizon to focus efforts on development of innovative solutions that not only differentiate the Company’s offering, but also fuel development of the next wave of precision medicines.

Horizon is headquartered in Cambridge, UK with offices in USA and Japan. The Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market under the ticker HZD.