BioBusiness

Bio/pharmaceutical manufacturers have made a good first step toward global vaccination through pledging doses at no- to low-profit rates.

The Discovery Labs has signed a foundational lease with the University of Pennsylvania Gene Therapy Program to build a new life sciences cluster in King of Prussia, Pa.

Moderna and Aldevron have expanded their existing collaboration to support Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine program as well as additional clinical programs in Moderna’s pipeline.

Biogen and Ginkgo Bioworks have partnered to develop a next-generation AAV production platform to accelerate Biogen’s gene therapy drug development efforts.

Codagenix and Univercells have partnered on a research collaboration to pursue an undisclosed, high-priority human vaccine target.

The US Supreme Court has denied a petition by Sandoz, a Novartis company, to review a July 2020 ruling concerning its biosimilar Erelzi (etanercept-szzs), blocking the company from launching the product.

The expected growth of the global bio/pharmaceutical market is pushing for the continued evolution of the CDMO arena.

Lonza plans to invest approximately CHF 850 million (US$936 million) to build new state-of-the-art mammalian manufacturing facilities at its Visp, Switzerland, and Portsmouth, NH, sites.

Projects led by collaborating researchers from both Sanofi and Stanford Medicine will focus on autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions.

Eli Lilly and Company has partnered with leading diabetes tech firms to offer app compatibility with insulin smart pens to streamline diabetes management with automated data collection.

Combating COVID-19 is bolstering efforts to limit patent protections on innovative medicines and vaccines.

Both the European Commission and FDA have granted approval to GlaxoSmithKline’s Jemperli (dostarlimab) for treating endometrial cancer.

This new collaboration between Vyant Bio, Ordaōs Bio, and Cellaria mitigates risk in the drug discovery process using artificial intelligence and in-vitro “avatar” clinical trials.

Sartorius has expanded in the United Kingdom with the relocation to a new facility in Havant, Hampshire, for downstream processing equipment.

The ATMPS and Ori Biotech collaboration aims to improve visibility and reporting of cell and gene therapy manufacturing through a pre-integrated data solution.

Sterling Pharma Solutions has acquired ADC Biotechnology, a bioconjugation development services business specializing in antibody drug conjugates.

BIA and Clarivate have released data showing that UK biotech companies are set to experience another strong year for fundraising in 2021.

The need for added revenues to fund billion-dollar infrastructure improvements has fueled challenges to industry pricing practices.

The Federal Trade Commission is launching a broad review of drug-company mergers, with an eye to examining how such actions can harm competition in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Many biologic drug manufacturers encounter similiar challenges; precompetitive collaboration can help resolve these issues. Representatives of the IQ Consortium’s Biologics CMC Leadership Group describe efforts to address the safe handling of biologic drugs in closed-system transfer devices in healthcare settings and the need for phase-appropriate specifications.

A growing pipeline of gene therapy candidates aimed at treating neurodegenerative diseases has prompted new guidance.

This agreement enhances GSK’s investment in cell and gene therapy manufacturing in the UK for clinical trials.

The companies intend to design and implement algorithms for the early stages of research for drug discovery and development of drug candidates to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

The acquisition strategically expands SPT Labtech’s offering in sample management for life sciences.

The acquisition will integrate drug substance, drug product, and clinical testing capabilities under Quotient.

Salipro Biotech has been granted a European Patent for its novel method of direct extraction of membrane proteins and for the generation of libraries with Salipro particles.

PwC has teamed up with CPI on the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Center to strengthen the UK’s position in advanced medicines manufacturing.

Connecticut Innovations has launched a campaign to highlight the growing companies, top talent, cutting-edge research, and quality of life in Connecticut’s life sciences ecosystem.

The CGMP manufacturing agreement will expand production of lenzilumab, a candidate for COVID-19 therapy, to support a potential emergency use authorization filing.

Viewpoint: Mike Hennessy, Sr., founder and chairman of MJH Life Sciences, commends the leadership of the pharmaceutical industry in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.