Thursday, February 18, 2021 Daily Archives

eBook: Vaccines — COVID-19 Invigorates a Stagnant Industry

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The SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus has galvanized what was a stagnant and oligopoly-run vaccine industry. In this inaugural BioProcess Insider eBook, the first of four to be published in 2021, founding editor Dan Stanton explores economic and technical conditions that until now have hampered innovation in vaccine development and discouraged market entry for emerging biotechnology companies. Leveraging commentary from vaccine industry experts and analyzing the range of emerging vaccine modalities, Stanton surveys how industry responses to the COVID-19 pandemic are fostering…

February 18, 2021

Integrated mRNA Production Process from E. coli to Highly Purified mRNA

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This webcast features: AleÅ¡ Å trancar, Managing Director, BIA Separations, a Sartorius Company In vitro transcription (IVT), the enzymatic process used for the production of mRNA vaccines, differentiates itself from biological fermentation processes by the need for linearized plasmid DNA. The linear isoform is produced with restriction enzymes from open-circular and supercoiled plasmid DNA. Employing a traditional pDNA manufacturing process, which removes linear and open-circular isoforms, will reduce production yield. However, when plasmid DNA and mRNA are treated as a single…

February 18, 2021

IDT Biologika latest to join AstraZeneca in COVID-19 response

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CDMO IDT Biologika will expand its site in Dessau, Germany through a joint investment with AstraZeneca to support the latter’s COVID-19 vaccine. AstraZeneca has signed a letter of intent with contract development manufacturing organization (CDMO) IDT Biologika to help produce its COVID-19 vaccine, AZD1222. Details of the agreement are yet to be finalized, but production of the vaccine is expected to begin at IDT Biologika’s site in Dessau, Germany from the second quarter 2021. However, both companies plan to invest…

February 18, 2021

Bluebird Bio investigating potential vector role in AML and MDS cases

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Bluebird Bio’s suspension of trials of its sickle cell gene therapy LentiGlobin has put the vector used to make it in the spotlight. The US biotech announced the temporary suspension of two LentiGlobin trials – specifically HGB 206 NCT02140554 and HGB 210 NCT04293185 – this week. It said the measure was prompted by reports a patient in group A of the Phase I/II HGB-206 study treated with the therapy five years ago had developed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Bluebird also…

February 18, 2021

Charles River to reenter CDMO space in $875m Cognate buy

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The proposed acquisition of Cognate BioServices will bring services firm Charles River Laboratories autologous and allogeneic cell therapy, plasmid DNA and viral vector manufacturing capabilities. The agreement announced yesterday will see Charles River pay $875 million in cash for the contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). Through the deal, Charles River has propelled itself into the manufacturing space, entering a lucrative cell therapy and plasmid production market. “The addressable market for Cognate’s CDMO services principally cell therapy and plasmid production…

February 18, 2021