Novartis, CELLforCURE Partner to Manufacture CAR-T Therapies

Novartis announced on July 10, 2018, that it had entered into an agreement with contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), CELLforCURE, a company of the biopharmaceutical company, LFB Group, to produce new chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies for cancer. The CDMO will produce the CAR-T therapies at a bioproduction site based in Les Ulis (Essonne), France. Production could start in 2019 following the transfer of Novartis’ manufacturing technology to CELLforCURE.

The manufacturing process used by CELLforCURE in France will be the same technology and process developed by Novartis at its Morris Plain, NJ, site.

Between 2015–2019, Novartis has invested more than EUR 900 million (US$1.05 million) into activities ranging from the expansion of its biotechnology center in Huningue (Alsace), France, to the construction of a new head office building in Rueil-Malmaison (Ile-de-France), France, to boosting R&D projects.

“Today’s announcement brings immense hope to those suffering from aggressive forms of blood cancer for which there are currently only limited therapeutic options. What’s more, the decision by Novartis to choose France is yet another example of the confidence the Group has placed in France and attests to its attractiveness. This is a great source of pride to all of us. It confirms our role as a major healthcare player in France with a presence in R&D, commercial and manufacturing activities,” said Frédéric Collet, president of Novartis France, in a company press release.

“CELLforCURE relies in France on a highly experienced pharmaceutical and technical team in this very specialized area that is the production of CAR-T. We are very proud to provide a real value for enabling patients to access this groundbreaking class of therapies,” added Léopold Bertéa, CEO of CELLforCURE, in the press release.

Source: CELLforCURE