Monday, May 6, 2019 Daily Archives

Improving CHO Cells for Biomanufacturing

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Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells have been used in biomanufacturing for decades because of their robust capacity to express a range of proteins, such as therapeutic enzymes and monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) at titers measured in multiple grams per liter of culture. Within the available suite of CHO cell lines, the glutamine synthetase knockout (GS-KO) selection system provides industry-leading speed to the identification of high-producing clones for use in biomanufacturing. The GS-KO selection system allows for identification of multiple-gram/L clones in…

May 6, 2019

CDMO Aldevron add 1,000L microbial capacity in Madison

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The continuity of supply chain from research grade to GMP is a differentiator for Aldevron, the firm says as it expands its capabilities in Wisconsin. Contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Aldevron has acquired an existing biomanufacturing plant located in the University of Wisconsin Research Park in Madison. Tom Foti, VP and general manager of Aldevron, did not disclose to Bioprocess Insider from which company the CDMO acquired the $8 million purpose-built plant, but said the 1,000 L E. coli…

May 6, 2019

Gilead lets Kite fly solo to compete in competitive CAR-T space

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Giving cell therapy unit Kite autonomy will “foster agility, innovation and entrepreneurialism,†says recently appointed Gilead CEO Daniel O’Day. Gilead Sciences entered into the advanced therapy space in August 2017 through the $11.9 billion (€10.6 billion) acquisition of Kite. Just weeks later, the firm saw regulatory success with Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), which became the second chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to be commercialized in the US. Close to two years on, the firm has announced it intends to run…

May 6, 2019

Alector inks strategic deal with Lonza for early-phase candidates

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The changing needs of biopharma have driven some customers towards more strategic development and manufacturing partnerships says Lonza, which has inked such a deal with Alector. The agreement, financials of which have not been divulged, sees biotech Alector secure manufacturing capacity for two of its Phase I neurodegeneration drug candidates at contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Lonza’s site in Visp, Switzerland. Alector has seven immuno-neurology candidates in development. The deal makes use of Lonza’s Ibex Solutions service, launched in July…

May 6, 2019