EVRY, France, September 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The Genopole(R) biopark and the MAbgene company have announced the signature of a collaboration agreement for the creation and operation of a biomanufacturing center on the Genopole(R) Evry biocluster. By late 2007, the Center will produce recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies to GMP* standards. The objective is to promote the development of the cluster’s biotech companies and meet the needs of research labs and the pharmaceutical industry. By operating in synergy with the existing Genethon viral vector production unit, the new Center and its associated projects will position Genopole(R) as the benchmark for biomanufacturing in France.
* Good Manufacturing Practice
The world biopharmaceutical market (with a forecast turnover of 114 billion USD by 2010, 14% of the global pharma market) is generating significant unmet needs, and France is lagging behind in terms of clinical-grade biomanufacturing sites. The Genopole(R) Biomanufacturing Center (which will come onstream in Evry by late 2007) should meet the needs of French and Europe-based biotech companies which currently have difficulty producing their lead molecules.
The biomanufacturing unit will use modified animal cells to produce batches of GMP-grade recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies. The batches will be employed in preclinical animal testing and Phase II clinical trials (and up to and including Phase III for orphan drug trials). The 1,300 m2 unit will be equipped with bioreactors 300 and 1700 liters and will produce 8 batches per year, ranging from 1 and 100 grams of purified protein.
A number of related projects are in Genopole(R)'s pipeline: the creation of a cell engineering service company and a formulation & aseptic packaging unit. Genopole(R) and MAbgene will together review opportunities to diversify their production technologies, which could result in the establishment of a second biomanufacturing center based on yeast-, bacteria- or plant cell-based techniques, whilst also opening out into sectors other than healthcare.
Register now for the International Symposium “New Perspectives in GMP Biomanufacturing”!
On October 24th, Genopole(R) (in association with EuroBiO 2006) is organizing an international symposium entitled “New Perspectives in GMP Biomanufacturing”. The full program and registration details can be found at www.genopole.fr/bioproduction/
For more information: www.genopole.frwww.mabgene.com Genopole(R) Press Contact: Benedicte Robert +33-1-60-87-83-10 benedicte.robert@genopole.fr
Genopole
CONTACT: Genopole(R) Press Contact: Benedicte Robert, +33-1-60-87-83-10,benedicte.robert@genopole.fr
