Pall Enters Multi-Million Dollar Contract with Exothera for Viral Vector Manufacturing

Pall has entered into a contract worth more than $7 million with Exothera, a contract development and manufacturing organization, which will enable suspension-based manufacturing of viral vectors for gene therapies and vaccines. Under the agreement, Pall will establish a suspension-based manufacturing platform of up to 2000 L. The company will use a range of technologies, including Allegro STR single-use bioreactors, Pall announced in a July 1, 2021, press release.

Exothera has recently expanded its manufacturing capabilities with the addition of two new state-of-the-art good manufacturing practice (GMP) facilities that were built at the company’s Jumet site near Brussels, Belgium. The new facilities, which are roughly 92,000 ft2, include a variety of functions, from research and development to commercial production. The facilities begin GMP production this summer.

“There is a strong pipeline of viral vector-based gene therapies and vaccines, and the importance of rapidly realizing industrial-scale production for these vaccines and therapies has been brought into sharp focus by COVID-19. Pall has considerable process development expertise from working with many of the industry leaders to develop scalable upstream and downstream processes. We’re thrilled to bring this experience to support Exothera as they expand their manufacturing capabilities,” said Clive Glover, general manager, Gene Therapy, Pall, in the press release:

“Compared to other suspension solutions, Pall’s STR bioreactors are well-suited and could be adapted, if needed, to the perfusion mode, allowing higher growth and density of cells. We are pleased to establish this partnership with a very supportive company that is willing to transfer its expertise,” said Christian Borgniet, chief operating officer, Exothera, in the press release.

Source: Pall