Pharmaron, Complement Therapeutics, and CGT Catapult Awarded Innovate UK Grant for AAV Production Process Intensification
We are pleased that Pharmaron, Complement Therapeutics, and Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult have been awarded over £1 million in an Innovate UK Grant from the Transforming Medicines Manufacturing (TMM) program. The project, AAV Production Process Intensification using Perfusion Bioreactor Technology, will be funded over the next two years.
Gene therapy has transformative therapeutic potential, and the number of gene therapies is rapidly increasing. Pharmaron Biologics is a strategic partner for gene therapy developers and operates from state-of-the-art cGMP biomanufacturing facilities in Liverpool. We apply industry-leading expertise and advanced technologies to support customers in developing, testing, and commercializing their innovative medicines.
Pharmaron has entered a collaboration with Complement Therapeutics, an early-stage gene therapy company focused on developing novel therapeutics for complement-mediated diseases, and the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, an independent innovation and technology organization helping gene therapy developers advance more quickly to the clinic while contributing to UK economic growth.
Pharmaron brings its expertise in AAV manufacturing as the lead applicant, with both upstream platform processes and downstream processing know-how. This project aims to develop an intensified process for gene therapy production, improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness. As demand for AAV products grows and the focus shifts from rare diseases to more prevalent, systemic conditions, this collaboration will help establish the next generation of manufacturing platforms needed to meet global gene therapy demands and improve patient access to life-changing treatments.
Derek Ellison, PhD, VP of Biologics Services Europe Pharmaron Biologics (UK) Ltd, said, “While perfusion has been successfully applied to intensify production and improve manufacturability and process economics for more traditional biologics such as recombinant proteins, there are few successful applications for gene therapies. Leveraging the advanced processing and product characterization capabilities of Pharmaron’s Liverpool site, allied with the technologies and expertise of Complement Therapeutics and the CGT Catapult, this project aims to make a breakthrough in this area to benefit patients and customers.”
Matthew Durdy, Chief Executive of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, said: “AAV is a crucial element in many gene therapies yet there are currently no clinically approved AAV products manufactured using perfusion technologies. Working with experts at Pharmaron and Complement Therapeutics, this project offers a valuable opportunity to unlock the benefits of this manufacturing process. This aims to help make gene therapies more affordable to healthcare systems and ensure that sufficient volumes of AAV can be produced to meet an increase in demand.”
Rafiq Hasan, Chief Executive Officer of Complement Therapeutics, said: “We are excited to collaborate with Pharmaron and the CGT Catapult on this project. Developing a perfusion process for AAV production holds significant promise for advancing our pipeline of treatments for complement-mediated diseases. This initiative represents a technological leap forward and aligns with our mission to address high unmet clinical needs and ultimately improve patient outcomes.”