CDMO pushes to Strengthen Position in Gene Therapies Sector

European CDMO Yposkesi, a producer of viral vectors (AAV and Lentivirus) for biopharmaceutical companies active in gene therapy, has appointed Dr. Fraser Wright, scientific co-founder and former CTO of Spark Therapeutics, to help its progression in the advanced therapies manufacturing sector.

Welcoming Dr Wright, Alain Lamproye, CEO of Yposkesi said: “His outstanding expertise and experience will reinforce our competitive edge through innovation. The scientific and technological innovation we are developing is geared to optimising efficiency in producing viral vectors at optimised cost, to the benefit of Yposkesi’s partners, clients and that of patients.”

Dr. Wright joins the company at a time of expansion and a bolstering of its market competitiveness. Currently in the process of doubling the building facilities at its European site from 50,000ft2 to 100,000ft2(approx. 5,000m2 to 10,000m2), Yposkesi has had significant success in developing an innovative process for large-scale cost-effective manufacturing of highly complex ATMPs (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products) since its founding in 2016.

Formerly chief technology advisor (2013-2014) and chief technology officer (2015-2017) at Spark Therapeutics Dr. Wright established and served as director at the Clinical Vector Core division within the Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Concurrently, he was research professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He has overseen investigational product chemistry, manufacturing and controls for gene therapy viral vectors for more than 200 human subjects in 12 clinical programs. including LUXTURNA, the first gene therapy approved by the FDA for a genetic disease.