Florida Biologix, a contract development and manufacturing organization focused on complex biological products, has spun-off from the University of Florida with financial backing from Ampersand Capital Partners. Ampersand's investment will be used to further expand the company's manufacturing capabilities in the areas of gene and cell therapies.

The company will continue to operate out of its existing Progress Park facility, and will also lease UF facilities on Innovation Drive in Alachua, Florida. Most of the more than 100 UF Florida Biologix employees will continue with the business, including founding director Richard Snyder and all of the senior scientific team. In addition new members have been added to the senior team.

David Anderson, Partner at Ampersand, a middle market private equity firm with a focus on growth equity investments in the healthcare sector, said; "Florida Biologix is a leading company in its field and given the exciting developments within the complex biologics market this is an excellent time for UF to pass the stewardship to the private sector. We are looking forward to working with the team at Florida Biologix to accelerate and continue its success and leadership."

In connection with Ampersand's investment, Tim Martin was recruited to serve as CEO of Florida Biologix. "Mr. Martin said, "I am very excited to join Florida Biologix. The Company has extensive expertise in a wide array of biopharmaceutical products with an emphasis on the emerging areas of gene and cell therapy. After working with Ampersand to survey the contract development and manufacturing services industry focused on complex biologics, we determined that Florida Biologix occupies a unique position in this space.'"