Voyager Therapeutics CEO and CMO resign. Meanwhile, there are changes at Appia Bio and Acepodia. Get the kettle on, put your feet up, and enjoy BioProcess Insider’s Ins & outs. First up in this week’s Ins & Outs feature is Voyager Therapeutics, a firm focused on developing treatments for neurological diseases. The firm’s search for a new CEO is underway as Andre Turenne announced he will leave the firm in June to pursue undisclosed opportunities. To help with the transition,…
Cryoport will expand its presence in the EMEA region through the acquisition of Belgium-based temperature-controlled supply chain solutions firm F-Airgate. Cryoport, a temperature-controlled supply chain services company for the life sciences, has agreed to buy F-airgate, which will join Cryoport’s CRYOPDP business unit. No financial details have been divulged. “This acquisition will expand our coverage in Europe and enable us to provide end-to-end solutions to both global and local customers in Belgium, which is a highly strategic area for Pharma/BioPharma activity in Europe, 
Achilles Therapeutics will use a customized digital manufacturing system to support its T cell therapy programs. Developer and manufacturer of management systems for cell and gene therapies Autolomous will supply a bespoke version of its AutoIoMATE technology to T cell developer Achilles. Terms of the partnership have not been disclosed. “The AutoloMATE platform is an out-of-the-box system, which we configure and validate for the individual requirements of our customers,†Kwok Pang chief operating officer at Autolomous told BioProcess Insider. “Autolomous continually…
BlueRock Therapeutics, Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics, and Opsis Therapeutics have formed an R&D alliance to develop cell therapies for ocular diseases. The collaboration will see the firms merge their different expertise to discover and develop off-the-shelf induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell therapies. “This collaboration represents a step forward in building a portfolio of best-in-class cellular medicines with the potential to change the treatment paradigm and become standard of care for degenerative retinal diseases,†Emile Nuwaysir CEO at BlueRock told BioProcess Insider.…
Pfizer will produce its COVID-19 vaccine from its Grange Castle facility in Dublin, as part of a $40 million investment. The firm’s partnership with BioNTech saw Pfizer become the first company to bring a messenger RNA-based product to market, namely the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty (BNT162b2). Pfizer’s CEO Albert Bourla told shareholders at its annual meeting in April that it is comfortable the firm will produce 3 billion doses of the vaccine in 2021 and will further invest in its manufacturing…
Argenx says it is ready to launch antibody fragment efgartigimod late this year despite alleged supply chain concerns stemming from its CDMO Lonza. Argenx’s lead candidate efgartigimod is a first-in-class investigational antibody fragment targeting the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). The candidate is being evaluated for the treatment of patients with severe autoimmune diseases and has been accepted for review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG). With a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA)…
Gennao Bio has raised 40 million in Series A financing to support its gene monoclonal antibody platform (GMAB) and the development of targeted nucleic acid therapeutics. Non-viral gene therapy firm Gennao Bio has raised $40 million with finances led by Logos Capital, OrbiMed and Surveyor Capital (a Citadel company). “Proceeds from the financing will enable us to accelerate the advancement of our proprietary, first-in-class gene monoclonal antibody platform (GMAB) and the development of targeted nucleic acid therapeutics for the treatment…
Gingko adds large-scale protein production capabilities outside the US through its acquisition of fungal platform technology company Dutch DNA. Boston, Massachusetts-based Gingko Bioworks is expanding its operations beyond the US through its acquisition of Dutch DNA Biotech, which is based in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Gingko will acquire 100% of Dutch DNA shares in cash and equity, though no further financial details were divulged. However, there is potential for specific stakeholders to receive earn-outpayments dependent on commercialization and technical milestones. “Ginkgo…
Catalent has named Thomas Castellano as its chief financial officer. Meanwhile, there are changes at Attralus Therapeutics and Centessa. Sit back, relax, and enjoy BioProcess Insider’s Ins & Outs. First up in our Ins & Outs feature is Catalent, which has named Thomas Castellano to succeed Wetteny Joseph as chief financial officer, effective June 1. Castellano currently serves at the contract development manufacturing organization (CDMO) as global vice president of operational finance. Castellano joined the firm in 2008 as director…
PerkinElmer will bolster its preclinical portfolio and cell and gene therapy manufacturing capabilities through the acquisition of Nexcelom. PerkinElmer will pay  $260 million in cash, with the transaction anticipated to close in the second quarter of 2021. “Nexcelom’s leading cell counting and analysis solutions are a strong complement to PerkinElmer’s preclinical high content imaging, cell painting and automation portfolio for drug discovery and will enhance our ability to support customers in the manufacturing QA/QC phase of cell and gene and…