Cytovance Biologics has been contracted to help produce a candidate monoclonal antibody for the treatment of allergy being developed by Taiwan-based Fountain BioPharma.
Under the deal, Cytovance will lead the cell line generation, process optimization, recovery and purification development and cGMP manufacturing at its laboratory and production facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The deal – terms of which were not disclosed – is one of a number the contract manufacturing organisation (CMO) has signed with developers outside the US according to Cytovance CEO, Darren Head.
“We have successfully completed several development and manufacturing service agreements with Asian clients in the past two years and we are actively expanding our services to the Asian Pacific region, led by Jeffrey Su, our CSO.”
Willie Lin, President of Fountain BioPharma, said: "The FB301 antibody is Fountain’s flagship product, which represents a new, innovative medicine to treat a vast array of IgE-mediated allergic diseases.
"We are pleased to collaborate with Cytovance for advancing the development of Fountain’s FB301 product, and look forward to a prosperous relationship between the two companies."
Patheon has also landed a new immunoglobulin-focused manufacturing deal with Swedish developer Pharmalink calling it in to produce supplies of its drug Nefecon.
Under the agreement Patheon will make Nefecon, which is being developed as a treatment for IgA nephropathy, the most common form of primary glomerulonephritis and a leading cause of end-stage renal disease.
Pharmalink MD Johan Haggblad said: "We have already shown positive results in an open-labelled Phase II trial evaluating Nefecon's safety and efficacy and, with Patheon, we will be working with one of the pharmaceutical industry's best-respected manufacturers as Nefecon advances towards pivotal trials."
Finally this week Angel Biotechnology has announced that ReNeuron has expanded its manufacturing contract.
Under the deal Angel will make trial supplies of ReNeuron’s lead stem cell therapy ReNoo1, which is being developed as a treatment for patients who have been disabled by an ischaemic stroke
Michael Hunt, CEO of ReNeuron, said: "Angel remains a key player in the supply chain of our clinical material. This contract will ensure the provision of further Drug Substance material required to service our on-going therapeutic programmes."