Author Archives: Millie Nelson

Vertex/CRISPR selects RoslinCT as CDMO for Casgevy

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Cell and gene therapy CDMO RoslinCT will commercially produce Vertex and CRISPR Therapeutics’ CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited therapy exa-cel. Vertex Pharmaceuticals has picked UK-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) RoslinCT – a spinout from the Roslin Institute – for commercial manufacturing of the world’s first CRISPR-based gene-edited therapy, Casgevy (exagamglogene autotemcel [exa-cel]). “We have been working with Vertex […] on exa-cel for seven years on a very collaborative and open basis, and this relationship significantly predates the MHRA’s approval of exa-cel. Our expertise…

eBook: Vaccines — Expanding Access Through Innovation and Collaboration

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The rapid global response to the COVID-19 pandemic showed how remarkably fast vaccine development can be with a coordinated effort from biopharmaceutical companies, government organizations, regulatory agencies, and public institutions. Although some of the world’s most prolific diseases are more complex than COVID-19 coronavirus, growing infrastructural and financial support are enabling scientists to make breakthroughs in diseases that seemed insurmountable only a decade ago in underserved regions around the world. And with accelerated discover times thanks to advanced technologis such…

Hovione adds function materials through ExtremoChem acquisition

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Hovione has acquired ExtremoChem, a firm focused on the development and commercialization of synthetic sugars to stabilize the performance of biopharmaceuticals. The acquisition – of which financial details have not been divulged – will provide contract development manufacturing organization (CDMO) Hovione with a portfolio of rare sugars and synthetic analogues of molecules identified in extremophiles. According to both parties, the addition of these functional materials are said to be capable of surviving in the most inhabitable environments and the sugars…

Northway Group to build $7.6bn ‘biotech city’ in Lithuania

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Northway Group will invest $7.6 billion over the next decade to construct Europe’s largest biotechnology hub in Lithuania, Vilnius. The project has been named Bio City and is led by Northway Healthcare Group, which has subsidiaries including contract development manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) Northway Biotech and Celltechna. The aim of the project is to boost Lithuania’s presence in the global biotech space by establishing four advanced biomanufacturing facilities and two research centers. Northway said it will be the largest biotech city…

From slaughterhouse to science lab: The rise of cultivated meat production

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According to the US Department of Agriculture, 46 million turkeys are eaten annually as part of Thanksgiving feasts. But could this soon change with the arrival of cell-cultured meat production, driven by some major bioprocess vendors? Cell-cultured meat production is increasing significantly with MarketsandMarkets predicting the sector to reach $1.1 billion by 2034. Though not the usual modality BioProcess Insider covers, various companies in the life science industry have expanded their interest and activity to cell-cultured meat research and manufacturing…

Biomay adds mRNA to offering with Vienna expansion

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CDMO Biomay said its upgraded site will offer mRNA manufacturing services, including aseptic filling of mRNA drug product.   Contract development manufacturing organization (CDMO) Biomay announced plans to construct a biomanufacturing facility in central Vienna, Austria in December 2020. The firm then acquired additional clean room, laboratory and warehouse space in the Vienna Competence Center building earlier this year and has transformed this into 2000 square meters of floor space. As a result of the expansion, the CDMO now offers…

Eli Lilly weighs in with $2.5bn injectables plant in Germany

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In the same week Novo Nordisk pledged $6 billion to expand Wegovy production in Denmark, Eli Lilly is planning to build a European facility to support its diabetes and obesity products.   Pharma giant Eli Lilly confirmed rumors circulating this week that it is set to construct a drug production plant in Rhineland-Palatinate, close to the French border in Germany.  When it opens – expected 2027 – the $2.5 billion injectable and device manufacturing site in Alzey will support the firm’s diabetes…

GSK, Novartis, Calliditas among winners at LSX Awards

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This year’s LSX European Lifestars Awards (ELAs) in London, UK brought together pan-European Life Science executives and partners to celebrate their achievements. With 17 awards up for grabs, it was certainly a night to remember in the life sciences industry. From M&A Deal of the Year through to Women-Led Business Leader of the Year, the awards encapsulated a wide variety of achievements accomplished in 2023. Irish comedian Keith Farnan hosted the awards and kicked things off with the first category…

BMS looks to expand biologics plant in Ireland

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Bristol Myers Squibb has applied to expand its biologics drug substance manufacturing facility in Cruiserath, Ireland. Between 2016 and 2017 Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) invested $1 billion to construct a 30,000 square-meter facility in Cruiserath, which is located half an hour outside of Dublin and is the firm’s first biologics plant situated outside of the US. This week, news outlet the reported the company would create hundreds of jobs through its plan to build another biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Dublin.…

November 14, 2023

Novo Nordisk pledges $6bn to expand Wegovy production

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The expansion will bolster API capacity at its manufacturing facilities in Kalundborg, Denmark to meet future demands for weight-loss drug Wegovy.   Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk announced the investment of over 42 billion Danish kroner ($6 billion) to expand its manufacturing facilities in Kalundborg as the company marked the 100th anniversary of its presence in Denmark. The firm said the expansion – expected to start this year – will contribute to growing additional capacity with most of the funding going…

November 13, 2023