Consortium Leads Initiative to Support Future Biologics Manufacturing

A consortium led by the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) on behalf of UCB Celltech and Lonza Biologics and including international life sciences company Horizon Discovery Group as a full partner, have been awarded £6.2 million as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) in support of biologics research and manufacturing in the UK.

The AMSCI program consists of an approximate total £11.3M of costs with approximately £6.2 million in grant funding being delivered by the UK Government Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Innovate UK and Birmingham City Council. Horizon will receive up to £652,000 which will be used to expand research performed in its Bioproduction business.

Horizon will use its gene editing and screening expertise to develop a high throughput platform designed to accelerate the development of novel and improved Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell lines.  Horizon will introduce specific genetic changes into these CHO cell lines, allowing better decisions to be made on potential performance improvements for biologic drug manufacturing.

Dr Paul Morrill, President, Products, Horizon Discovery Group, said:  “Horizon, along with UCB and the other consortium partners, recognises the importance of strengthening the biomanufacturing supply chain in order to deliver the next generation of biological medicines.  Enhancing cell line function through gene editing is a critical path activity towards this outcome. This initiative, alongside the recent Industrial Biotechnology Catalyst funding, further reinforces Horizon’s reputation as a driver of innovation for biomanufacturing.”