Setting New Standards for CRO/CDMO Industry

MARYANN LABANT | July 1, 2019 | 152 views

Traditionally, U.S. life sciences contract organizations have focused on either research (CRO) or development and manufacturing (CDMO). Founded in 2009, LakePharma is defying tradition and has evolved into the first U.S.-based, full-scale CRDMO to provide an integrated suite of end-to-end services for the biologics development community.

Spotlight

Cellular Research

Cellular Research, Inc., is a pioneering biotechnology research and development company founded in 2011 by innovators from Silicon Valley and Stanford University. Our mission is to revolutionize life science research by enabling high resolution investigation of single cells and limited samples. Our first two product lines Pixel and Precise deliver the power of Molecular Indexing to customers interested in high accuracy and precision for Gene Expression Studies.

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MedTech

Top 10 biotech IPOs in 2019

Article | July 13, 2022

The big question at the start of 2019 was whether the IPO window would stay open for biotech companies, particularly those seeking to pull off ever-larger IPOs at increasingly earlier stages of development. The short answer is yes—kind of. Here’s the long answer: In the words of Renaissance Capital, the IPO market had “a mostly good year.” The total number of deals fell to 159 from 192 the year before, but technology and healthcare companies were standout performers. The latter—which include biotech, medtech and diagnostics companies—led the pack, making up 43% of all IPOs in 2019. By Renaissance’s count, seven companies went public at valuations exceeding $1 billion, up from five the year before

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Medical

Cell Out? Lysate-Based Expression an Option for Personalized Meds

Article | July 14, 2022

Cell-free expression (CFE) is the practice of making a protein without using a living cell. In contrast with cell line-based methods, production is achieved using a fluid containing biological components extracted from a cell, i.e., a lysate. CFE offers potential advantages for biopharma according to Philip Probert, PhD, a senior scientist at the Centre for Process Innovation in the U.K.

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MedTech

Closing bacterial genomes from the human gut microbiome using long-read sequencing

Article | September 22, 2022

In our lab, we focus on the impact of the gut microbiome on human health and disease. To evaluate this relationship, it’s important to understand the particular functions that different bacteria have. As bacteria are able to exchange, duplicate, and rearrange their genes in ways that directly affect their phenotypes, complete bacterial genomes assembled directly from human samples are essential to understand the strain variation and potential functions of the bacteria we host. Advances in the microbiome space have allowed for the de novo assembly of microbial genomes directly from metagenomes via short-read sequencing, assembly of reads into contigs, and binning of contigs into putative genome drafts. This is advantageous because it allows us to discover microbes without culturing them, directly from human samples and without reference databases. In the past year, there have been a number of tour de force efforts to broadly characterize the human gut microbiota through the creation of such metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs)[1–4]. These works have produced hundreds of thousands of microbial genomes that vastly increase our understanding of the human gut. However, challenges in the assembly of short reads has limited our ability to correctly assemble repeated genomic elements and place them into genomic context. Thus, existing MAGs are often fragmented and do not include mobile genetic elements, 16S rRNA sequences, and other elements that are repeated or have high identity within and across bacterial genomes.

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Selexis Cell Line Development Strategies

Article | February 11, 2020

In today’s biotechnology landscape, to be competitive, meet regulations, and achieve market demands, “we must apply Bioprocessing 4.0,” said Igor Fisch, PhD, CEO, Selexis. In fact, in the last decade, “Selexis has evolved from cloning by limiting dilution to automated cell selection to nanofluidic chips and from monoclonality assessment by statistical calculation to proprietary bioinformatic analysis,” he added. Single-use processing systems are an expanding part of the biomanufacturing world; as such, they are a major component of Bioprocessing 4.0. “At Selexis, we use single use throughout our cell line development workflow. Currently, we have incorporated single-use automated bioprocessing systems such as ambr® and the Beacon® optofluidic platform for accelerated cell line development. By using these systems and optimizing our parameters, we were able to achieve high titers in shake flasks. Additionally, the Beacon systems integrate miniaturized cell culture with high-throughput liquid handling automation and cell imaging. This allows us to control, adjust, and monitor programs at the same time,” noted Fisch.

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Spotlight

Cellular Research

Cellular Research, Inc., is a pioneering biotechnology research and development company founded in 2011 by innovators from Silicon Valley and Stanford University. Our mission is to revolutionize life science research by enabling high resolution investigation of single cells and limited samples. Our first two product lines Pixel and Precise deliver the power of Molecular Indexing to customers interested in high accuracy and precision for Gene Expression Studies.

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Cell and Gene Therapy, Diagnostics

NorthX Biologics, a leading Nordic development and manufacturing organisation announces acquisition of a biologics manufacturing unit from Valneva

Globenewswire | July 04, 2023

NorthX Biologics (‘NorthX’), a leading Nordic development and manufacturing organisation with a focus on advanced biologics, CGT (cell and gene therapy) and vaccines, announced today the successful acquisition of the Stockholm-based Clinical Trial Manufacturing unit from Valneva Sweden, significantly expanding capabilities. The acquisition includes the transfer of a multi-purpose facility, situated in the Stockholm life science cluster, close to Karolinska University Hospital. In addition, 30 staff members who currently operate the facility will also join NorthX. The site and staff have a long history with extensive experience of serving both Valneva internally and also working with external customers on a contract development and manufacturing basis. With expertise in mammalian expression systems and viral vectors, the capabilities complement those of NorthX’s existing business of advanced microbial based manufacturing of proteins and plasmid DNA. The acquired unit excels in process development, scale up, GMP production, quality control analytics, and quality assurance/release and is capable of working with Biosafety Level (BSL) 2/2+ and BSL 3 organisms. With this expansion, NorthX enhances its capabilities and can offer comprehensive services to a wider range of clients globally. Janet Hoogstraate, currently Managing Director of Valneva Sweden, will join the NorthX team. She commented, “I am very proud when looking back at what we have achieved within the unit over the past years and look forward with great enthusiasm to build on NorthX’s position as the go-to manufacturer of advanced biologics in Northern Europe.” Helena Strigård, CEO of NorthX, said, “We are delighted to join forces with our new colleagues in Stockholm to bring new innovative treatments to tomorrow’s patients.” Thomas Eldered, Chairman of NorthX, commented, “This strategic move marks a significant milestone in our growth journey and strengthens NorthX as Sweden’s Innovation Hub. We are now able to work with ATMPs and advanced biologics, including process development and manufacture for clinical trials and commercial requirements.” ABOUT NORTHX BIOLOGICS NorthX Biologics develops and manufactures advanced biologics and has over 30 years of GMP production experience. The team provides process development and GMP manufacturing services with expertise in plasmid DNA, mRNA, proteins, cell therapy and other advanced biologics. Headquartered in the heart of Sweden, the team serves customers worldwide. In 2021 NorthX was recognised and appointed as the national innovation hub for GMP manufacture of advanced therapeutics and vaccines by the Swedish Government and Vinnova, Sweden's innovation agency. NorthX has the ambition to become a leading cell and gene therapy manufacturer and partner of choice for innovative drug development companies. For more information visit www.nxbio.com.

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Medical

Pfizer and BioNTech Begin Rolling Submission of Biologics License Application for FDA Approval of COVID-19 Vaccine in the U.S

Pfizer, BioNTech | May 10, 2021

Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE confirmed today the filing of a Biologics License Application (BLA) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of their mRNA vaccine to prevent COVID-19 in people aged 16 and above. Companies will send data to help the BLA to the FDA on a rolling basis in the coming weeks, along with a proposal for Priority Review. If the BLA has been completed and duly approved for review by the FDA, the FDA will set a target date for a determination under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA). The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is now available in the United States under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on December 11, 2020. Since then, the firms have distributed more than 170 million doses of the vaccine in the United States. The next step in the comprehensive FDA evaluation process is the submission of a BLA, which includes longer-term follow-up data for acceptance and approval. Pfizer and BioNTech started the BLA process by providing the nonclinical and clinical data needed to justify the licensure of the COVID-19 vaccine for use in people aged 16 and up. This covers the most recent analyses from the pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial, in which the vaccine's effectiveness and safety profile were detected up to six months after the second dose. In the coming weeks, the companies will submit the required manufacturing and facility details for licensure, completing the BLA. Pfizer and BioNTech have since submitted to expand the new EUA for their COVID-19 vaccine to cover individuals aged 12 to 15. The firms plan to send a supplemental BLA to facilitate vaccine licensure in this age group until the requisite data is available six months after the second vaccine dose. BioNTech and Pfizer collaborated to create the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, which is built on BioNTech's patented mRNA technology. BioNTech is the European Union's Marketing License Holder, as well as the holder of emergency use authorizations or similar in the United States (along with Pfizer), the United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries in advance of a planned application for full marketing authorizations in these countries. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has not been authorized or licensed by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but it has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in people aged 16 and up. The emergency use of this product is only permitted for the duration of the declaration the circumstances justify the authorization of emergency use of the medical product under Section 564 (b) (1) of the FD&C Act until the declaration is terminated or the authorization is revoked sooner. About Pfizer At Pfizer, they utilize science and its global resources to deliver treatments to patients that significantly extend and change their lives. In the discovery, development, and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines, they aim to set the benchmark for consistency, safety, and value. Every day, Pfizer colleagues collaborate in developing and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments, and remedies for today's most feared diseases. As one of the world's leading innovative biopharmaceutical firms, they partner with health care providers, governments, and local communities to promote and improve access to reliable and affordable health care around the world. About BioNTech Biopharmaceutical New Technologies is a next-generation immunotherapy firm that is developing novel cancer and other severe disease therapies. For the accelerated production of new biopharmaceuticals, the company makes use of a diverse set of computational discovery and therapeutic drug platforms. Its oncology product candidates include individualized and off-the-shelf mRNA-based therapies, innovative chimeric antigen receptor T cells, bi-specific checkpoint immuno-modulators, targeted cancer antibodies, and small molecules from Fosun Pharma and Pfizer.

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Cell and Gene Therapy

Y-Biologics and Pierre Fabre Announces Strategic Partnership in the Field of Immuno-Oncology Research

Y-Biologics | November 23, 2020

The South Korean biotech organization Y-Biologics and the French pharmaceutical group Pierre Fabre have declared their arrangements to frame a key association in the field of immuno-oncology research. The choice has been recognized through a letter of aim endorsed by the two players and will be affirmed in the coming a very long time through an itemized arrangement. The joint effort is set to run for a very long time, with the chance of a two-year expansion. Y-Biologics, which spends significant time in the revelation of monoclonal antibodies, and the Pierre Fabre gathering, France's second-biggest private drug lab, plan to join their subject matters with the point of recognizing and creating novel restorative monoclonal antibodies focusing on key immunosuppressive mechanisms activated within solid tumors.

Read More

Cell and Gene Therapy, Diagnostics

NorthX Biologics, a leading Nordic development and manufacturing organisation announces acquisition of a biologics manufacturing unit from Valneva

Globenewswire | July 04, 2023

NorthX Biologics (‘NorthX’), a leading Nordic development and manufacturing organisation with a focus on advanced biologics, CGT (cell and gene therapy) and vaccines, announced today the successful acquisition of the Stockholm-based Clinical Trial Manufacturing unit from Valneva Sweden, significantly expanding capabilities. The acquisition includes the transfer of a multi-purpose facility, situated in the Stockholm life science cluster, close to Karolinska University Hospital. In addition, 30 staff members who currently operate the facility will also join NorthX. The site and staff have a long history with extensive experience of serving both Valneva internally and also working with external customers on a contract development and manufacturing basis. With expertise in mammalian expression systems and viral vectors, the capabilities complement those of NorthX’s existing business of advanced microbial based manufacturing of proteins and plasmid DNA. The acquired unit excels in process development, scale up, GMP production, quality control analytics, and quality assurance/release and is capable of working with Biosafety Level (BSL) 2/2+ and BSL 3 organisms. With this expansion, NorthX enhances its capabilities and can offer comprehensive services to a wider range of clients globally. Janet Hoogstraate, currently Managing Director of Valneva Sweden, will join the NorthX team. She commented, “I am very proud when looking back at what we have achieved within the unit over the past years and look forward with great enthusiasm to build on NorthX’s position as the go-to manufacturer of advanced biologics in Northern Europe.” Helena Strigård, CEO of NorthX, said, “We are delighted to join forces with our new colleagues in Stockholm to bring new innovative treatments to tomorrow’s patients.” Thomas Eldered, Chairman of NorthX, commented, “This strategic move marks a significant milestone in our growth journey and strengthens NorthX as Sweden’s Innovation Hub. We are now able to work with ATMPs and advanced biologics, including process development and manufacture for clinical trials and commercial requirements.” ABOUT NORTHX BIOLOGICS NorthX Biologics develops and manufactures advanced biologics and has over 30 years of GMP production experience. The team provides process development and GMP manufacturing services with expertise in plasmid DNA, mRNA, proteins, cell therapy and other advanced biologics. Headquartered in the heart of Sweden, the team serves customers worldwide. In 2021 NorthX was recognised and appointed as the national innovation hub for GMP manufacture of advanced therapeutics and vaccines by the Swedish Government and Vinnova, Sweden's innovation agency. NorthX has the ambition to become a leading cell and gene therapy manufacturer and partner of choice for innovative drug development companies. For more information visit www.nxbio.com.

Read More

Medical

Pfizer and BioNTech Begin Rolling Submission of Biologics License Application for FDA Approval of COVID-19 Vaccine in the U.S

Pfizer, BioNTech | May 10, 2021

Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE confirmed today the filing of a Biologics License Application (BLA) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of their mRNA vaccine to prevent COVID-19 in people aged 16 and above. Companies will send data to help the BLA to the FDA on a rolling basis in the coming weeks, along with a proposal for Priority Review. If the BLA has been completed and duly approved for review by the FDA, the FDA will set a target date for a determination under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA). The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is now available in the United States under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on December 11, 2020. Since then, the firms have distributed more than 170 million doses of the vaccine in the United States. The next step in the comprehensive FDA evaluation process is the submission of a BLA, which includes longer-term follow-up data for acceptance and approval. Pfizer and BioNTech started the BLA process by providing the nonclinical and clinical data needed to justify the licensure of the COVID-19 vaccine for use in people aged 16 and up. This covers the most recent analyses from the pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial, in which the vaccine's effectiveness and safety profile were detected up to six months after the second dose. In the coming weeks, the companies will submit the required manufacturing and facility details for licensure, completing the BLA. Pfizer and BioNTech have since submitted to expand the new EUA for their COVID-19 vaccine to cover individuals aged 12 to 15. The firms plan to send a supplemental BLA to facilitate vaccine licensure in this age group until the requisite data is available six months after the second vaccine dose. BioNTech and Pfizer collaborated to create the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, which is built on BioNTech's patented mRNA technology. BioNTech is the European Union's Marketing License Holder, as well as the holder of emergency use authorizations or similar in the United States (along with Pfizer), the United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries in advance of a planned application for full marketing authorizations in these countries. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has not been authorized or licensed by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but it has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in people aged 16 and up. The emergency use of this product is only permitted for the duration of the declaration the circumstances justify the authorization of emergency use of the medical product under Section 564 (b) (1) of the FD&C Act until the declaration is terminated or the authorization is revoked sooner. About Pfizer At Pfizer, they utilize science and its global resources to deliver treatments to patients that significantly extend and change their lives. In the discovery, development, and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines, they aim to set the benchmark for consistency, safety, and value. Every day, Pfizer colleagues collaborate in developing and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments, and remedies for today's most feared diseases. As one of the world's leading innovative biopharmaceutical firms, they partner with health care providers, governments, and local communities to promote and improve access to reliable and affordable health care around the world. About BioNTech Biopharmaceutical New Technologies is a next-generation immunotherapy firm that is developing novel cancer and other severe disease therapies. For the accelerated production of new biopharmaceuticals, the company makes use of a diverse set of computational discovery and therapeutic drug platforms. Its oncology product candidates include individualized and off-the-shelf mRNA-based therapies, innovative chimeric antigen receptor T cells, bi-specific checkpoint immuno-modulators, targeted cancer antibodies, and small molecules from Fosun Pharma and Pfizer.

Read More

Cell and Gene Therapy

Y-Biologics and Pierre Fabre Announces Strategic Partnership in the Field of Immuno-Oncology Research

Y-Biologics | November 23, 2020

The South Korean biotech organization Y-Biologics and the French pharmaceutical group Pierre Fabre have declared their arrangements to frame a key association in the field of immuno-oncology research. The choice has been recognized through a letter of aim endorsed by the two players and will be affirmed in the coming a very long time through an itemized arrangement. The joint effort is set to run for a very long time, with the chance of a two-year expansion. Y-Biologics, which spends significant time in the revelation of monoclonal antibodies, and the Pierre Fabre gathering, France's second-biggest private drug lab, plan to join their subject matters with the point of recognizing and creating novel restorative monoclonal antibodies focusing on key immunosuppressive mechanisms activated within solid tumors.

Read More

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