New Facilities to Accommodate increase in Lentiviral Demand

Gene transfer technologies CDMO VIVEbiotech, a manufacturer and developer of lentiviral vectors, has announced a planned expansion of its manufacturing capabilities to increase production capacity. The design configuration has the flexibility to add further clean rooms in the future along with the feasibility of accommodating a much larger number of batches.

“The continued expansion of the gene and cell therapy sector has resulted in an increase in the number of clinical trials, as well as additional trials moving into later-stage development. In turn, this has led to a continued increase in the demand for both lentiviral vectors, as well as expertise in their use and application,” said Gurutz Linazasoro, CEO of VIVEbiotech S.L. “This demand for lentivirals is increasing for therapies throughout the clinical stages and into commercialisation. A higher number of early-stage cell and gene therapy developers now are requiring a longer-term partner in lentiviral supply that provides continuity throughout the clinical stages. VIVEbiotech has responded to this growth in requirement from the cell and gene therapy sector by constructing new facilities with increased cleanrooms to cater for the demand and a renewed focus on innovation to continue leading the development of lentiviral vectors. This will enable us to utilise our sole lentiviral expertise and specialisation to contribute towards moving gene therapies through the clinical process and to patients in a range of different conditions.

The new facilities are expected to be completed in April 2021, with the company aiming for completion of the transition between facilities during October.