Friday, April 19, 2019 Daily Archives

Antibody Derivatives: Deconstructing MAbs for the Next Wave of Biotherapies

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Although they make up the largest and most successful category of biopharmaceuticals so far, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) suffer from certain disadvantages. Some companies are addressing those limitations by deconstructing MAb molecules to create new emergent therapeutics. These antibody derivatives include: antibody fusions and fragments, bispecifics, trifunctional antibodies, and more. This eBook combines market analysis from consultant David Orchard-Webb with technical discussion from BPI cofounder and senior technical editor Cheryl Scott. It also includes commentary from editorial advisor Michiel Ultee and…

April 19, 2019

Novasep boosts viral vector offering with access to DNA Flap tech

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An agreement between Novasep and Theravectys gives the French CDMO access to the Institut Pasteur’s DNA FLAP technology to produce GMP-grade lentiviral vectors for clinical. The DNA Flap tech allows efficient lentivector-mediated gene transfer either ex vivo or in vitro. It consists of a specific DNA sequence derived from the lentiviral genome, which includes the cPPT and CTS cis-active sequences, required to enable the import of the lentivirus genome into the cell nucleus of non-replicating cells. Theravectys holds a license…

April 19, 2019

Catalent’s Paragon plans second plant to support Sarepta pipeline

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Fresh from an acquisition agreement by Catalent, Paragon Bioservices is seeking to establish a second manufacturing plant dedicated to produce Sarepta Therapeutics’ gene therapy pipeline. Last week, contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Catalent agreed to acquire gene therapy maker Paragon for $1.2 billion (€1.1 billion). Within hours of the announcement Paragon, with Catalent’s backing, said it is seeking to establish a second manufacturing facility at its site in Anne Arundel County, Maryland for the dedicated production of Sarepta gene…

April 19, 2019

Egg beater: Seqirus goes fully cell-based for seasonal flu vaccine

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Seqirus’s vaccine offering for the 2019/20 season will be uniquely cell-base, but the firm says traditional egg-based production still plays a role in fighting influenza. Provided each year by the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs) are the basis for the development and production of seasonal influenza vaccines. For the 2019/20 season, Seqirus has decided to use a cell-based CVV for all four influenza strains recommended by the WHO for its…

April 19, 2019