BioNTech and SMP to evaluate SMP’s next generation technology for BioNTech products

August 1, 2018 |

4 min read

Pursuing a common objective of superior primary packaging for a range of mRNA compounds

ORTE, DATUM AND AUBURN, Ala., Aug. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BioNTech AG (“BioNTech”) and SiO2 Medical Products, Inc. (“SMP”) today are announcing a common testing of SMP’s high performance primary packaging container to preserve BioNTech´s mRNA vials for cancer-immunotherapy drugs. Following the completion of successful process evaluations involving leading fill-/finish-machine manufacturers, SMP and BioNTech want to explore and develop superior packaging as well as application devices manufactured by SMP for a range of BioNTech products. It is expected that after a first successful adoption for mRNA use, the technology may be strategically extended to multiple other BioNTech products.

SiO2 Medical Products, Inc., a privately-owned company, develops and manufactures precision-molded containers composed of engineered polymers, such as cyclic olefin polymer (COP), and incorporates a thin, transparent, silicon-based coating system composed of organosiloxane and silica nano-layers, which can also incorporate distinct surface properties. This new and patented coating system provides the durability and dimensional consistency of plastics with the oxygen barrier properties, ultra-low extractables, and pH stability of silica glass (i.e., quartz). Bringing together the best qualities of both plastics and glass containers, without their respective drawbacks, presents an innovative approach to primary packaging and allows an individual configuration and fully customized device solutions reflecting the specific needs of the packaged drug product.

“We look forward to working with an innovative organization like BioNTech, known for their excellence in biological scientific innovations,” said Robert S. Abrams, Founder, CEO and Chairman of SMP. “We believe this collaboration will build an opportunity to jointly improve existing quality and safety standards of the industry through an intelligent platform strategy using our barrier and surface technologies.”

“Our common objective is to establish superior primary packaging for a range of mRNA compounds and potentially other innovative products of BioNTech. The high quality packaging is based on drug container surfaces, which are tailored to the requirements of our novel drug products,” said Dr. Sierk Poetting, CFO and COO of BioNTech. “We’re excited about our interaction with SMP and the opportunity to explore new and superior packaging solutions for our unique biologics.”

About BioNTech AG:

BioNTech AG (“BioNTech”) is Europe’s largest privately held biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of individualized therapies for cancer and other diseases. The Company combines all building blocks for individualized immunotherapy under one roof - from diagnostics and drug development to manufacturing. Its cutting-edge technologies range from individualized mRNA-based medicines through innovative chimeric antigen receptors and T-cell receptor-based products to novel checkpoint immunomodulators and small molecules. BioNTech’s approach is validated by five top-tier corporate partnerships with Genentech, Genmab, Eli Lilly and Company, Sanofi and Bayer Animal Health and over 60 publications in scientific journals, including five publications in Nature. Founded in 2008, BioNTech’s financial shareholders include the Struengmann Family Office as its majority shareholder, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Invus, Janus Henderson Investors, MIG Fonds, Redmile Group, Salvia and several European family offices. More information about BioNTech is available at www.biontech.de.

About SiO₂ Medical Products, Inc.:

SiO₂ Medical Products, Inc. (“SMP”) is a U.S. based, privately-held company founded in 2011. SMP has successfully developed and commercialized a wide range of novel products for use in pharmaceutical packaging, labware, and consumable applications. Using the well-known process of Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD), the SiO₂ team has developed proprietary technology to apply thin, transparent coatings or plasma treatments to a broad range of medical devices. The resulting plasma coated medical devices possess outstanding barrier properties, while plasma treated surfaces have ultra-low protein/peptide binding capabilities. SMP is headquartered and has a state-of-the-art, 160,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and R&D facility in Auburn, Alabama; with sales, marketing, legal, and project management capabilities based out of offices near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.sio2med.com.

For more information contact Jaimin B. Shah (legal@sio2med.com).