Andelyn Biosciences, a patient-focused cell and gene therapy Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO), has been selected to manufacture adeno-associated vectors (AAV) therapies using its suspension AAV Curator Platform under the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP) Bespoke Gene Therapy Consortium (BGTC). The CIRM partnership with Andelyn aims to advance BGTC’s mission to develop platforms and standards to propel the development and delivery of customised or ‘bespoke’ gene therapies for millions of people affected with rare diseases. BGTC is focusing on development of cures for eight such diseases, with Andelyn selected to optimise and scale the AAV therapy processes for the treatment of Congenital Hereditary Endothelial Dystrophy – Type 1. With scalable end-to-end development and manufacturing capabilities across its three Columbus, Ohio facilities, Andelyn aims to work towards the progression of life-altering gene therapies for rare and prevalent diseases. https://andelynbio.com/news-and-media/andelyn-biosciences-selected-as-viral-vector-manufacturing-partner-for-the-cirm-amp-bgtc/
Asahi Kasei Medical has completed the construction of its third assembly plant for Planova virus removal filters in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan, and held its completion ceremony on May 24, 2024. The bioprocess business of Asahi Kasei Medical comprises Planova virus removal filters and equipment used in the manufacturing process of biotherapeutic products such as biopharmaceuticals and plasma derivatives, biosafety testing services, and biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing (CDMO) operations. It is one of the Asahi Kasei Group’s businesses to drive future growth. Planova cellulose hollow-fibre membrane filters, developed specifically for removing viruses from biotherapeutic products, were launched in 1989, followed by Planova BioEX hydrophilic PVDF hollow-fibre membrane filters in 2009. A next-generation line of cellulose hollow-fibre membrane filters, Planova S20N, was launched in 2022 featuring robust virus removal capability and simplified operation. To further ensure stable supply, Asahi Kasei Medical has been proactively expanding production capacity for Planova including the ...
Lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), is increasingly recognized as a critical but under-acknowledged potential risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which are a significant public health concern. Around 20% of the global population has high levels of Lp(a), which heightens their risk of conditions such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Elevated Lp(a) levels contribute to the accumulation of lipids within artery walls, facilitating plaque formation and heightening the risk of cardiovascular events. While factors such as menopause, and kidney or liver diseases, as well as hyperthyroidism can affect Lp(a) levels, over 90% of the variability in Lp(a) levels is due to genetic differences in the lipoprotein (a) (LPA) gene. Consequently, testing for Lp(a) is a crucial diagnostic tool that helps clinicians accurately evaluate cardiovascular risk, and its integration into routine diagnostics is anticipated soon. Roche’s (Basel, Switzerland) Tina-quant lipoprotein Lp(a) RxDx assay has received Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and ...
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition for which there is currently no cure. It affects around three million people globally and ranks as the second most common cause of disability among young adults. The urgent need for improved treatments has led to extensive research into various viruses associated with MS, with the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) emerging as a significant risk factor for the disease. It remains unclear why certain individuals with MS exhibit an abnormal immune response to EBV, which typically causes no symptoms in most people. Now, a novel blood test has been developed that measures the immune response to EBV, providing new avenues for basic research into EBV’s role in MS and potential applications in clinical trials aimed at targeting the virus. Researchers at Trinity College Dublin (Dublin, Ireland) conducted studies measuring the immune response of MS patients to EBNA-1, a component of EBV that resembles ...
Don Tracy, Associate Editor Joint venture expected to utilize Degron’s GlueXplorer platform to identify, validate, and optimize molecular glue degraders. Degron Therapeutics announced that it has agreed to terms on a collaboration with Takeda, which will utilize its GlueXplorer to develop molecular glue degraders targeting oncology, neuroscience, and inflammation. Upon completion of the initial stages, Takeda will take over for further development and commercialization. Under terms of the deal, Degron will receive an upfront payment, with the opportunity to receive up to $1.2 billion in milestone payments and tiered royalties on sales. The deal also includes an equity investment by Takeda in Degron and the option to expand to additional targets.1 “We are excited to collaborate with Takeda, expanding the use of our platform into new therapeutic areas,” said Lily Zou, PhD, co-founder, CEO, Degron Therapeutics, in a press release. “Degron’s differentiated and powerful GlueXplorer platform has been validated by ...
Eli Lilly says its capital commitment to its new Indiana site is the largest manufacturing investment in the company’s history. The site will make tirzepatide, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in both Zepbound and Mounjaro. By Frank VinluaEli Lilly is boosting its ability to meet growing demand for the metabolic disorder drugs Zepbound and Mounjaro, committing $5.3 billion toward the expansion of a site that will produce the main pharmaceutical ingredient in both medications. Lilly broke ground on the Lebanon, Indiana, site in 2023. The expansion announced Friday brings Lilly’s total investment in the site to $9 billion. The company expects this facility will begin making medicines in late 2026. Mounjaro, approved in 2022 for treating type 2 diabetes, has become a blockbuster seller with 2023 revenue totaling $5.1 billion. Zepbound was approved late last year for chronic weight management. Both medications are incretins, drugs that mimic a gut hormone to ...
Mike Hollan Cencora’s associate director of value and access strategy for its commercialization strategy & access solutions division discusses the current state of pre-approval information exchanges. Alvana Maliqi, Associate director of value and access strategy Alvana Maliqi served as lead author on Cencora’s latest research initiatives focused on pre-approval information exchange (PIE). She spoke with Pharmaceutical Executive about the research and how the industry can utilize this information more efficiently. Pharma Executive: What does the passage of the PIE legislation allow biopharma companies to do? Alvana Maliqi: The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 20231 (or pre-approval information exchange [PIE] legislation”) was signed into law in 2022, providing a safe harbor for pharmaceutical companies to proactively engage in PIE with payers about new products and/or new indications. Previously, this pathway was initially supported by the 2018 FDA Final Guidance for pre-approval communications. Since 2018, biopharma manufacturers are permitted to share unbiased, factual, accurate, ...
Don Tracy, Associate Editor Under terms of the agreement, Nona Biosciences is expected to receive an upfront payment of $19 million, with the potential of up to $585 million in milestones. Nona Biosciences announced a major global license and option agreement with AstraZeneca, focusing on the development of monoclonal antibodies into targeted therapies for cancer treatment. Under terms of the deal, Nona Biosciences will receive an initial payment of $19 million. Additionally, the company will have the opportunity to receive up to $585 million pending the completion of milestones along with royalty payments on net sales.1 “We are delighted to announce this agreement with AstraZeneca, global leaders in developing tumor targeted therapies, to maximize the potential of our novel antibodies,” said Jingsong Wang, MD, PhD, chairman, Nona Biosciences, in a press release. “This agreement further validates our leading antibody discovery platform, and we look forward to seeing our antibodies developed ...
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