Welcome to Endpoints News’ manufacturing briefs, where we bring you essential news on new builds, collaborations, recalls and more.
SK Bioscience now has a 60% stake in the CDMO IDT Biologika after signing a deal with German pharma company Klocke, in a deal worth 339 billion Korean won ($244 million). Klocke will retain a 40% share in the CDMO, according to a Thursday release.
Lonza’s former CEO Pierre-Alain Ruffieux is joining Cytiva as its new chief operating officer effective July, according to a Thursday release. This is a newly created role for Ruffieux, who left Lonza in September 2023. Ruffieux will be responsible for improving the customer experience and engagement at Cytiva.
“[Ruffieux] brings unparalleled experience and a deep understanding of how suppliers positively impact the success of our pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers,” Cytiva’s CEO Chris Riley told Endpoints News in a statement.
Evotec subsidiary, Just – Evotec Biologics, was chosen by the US Department of Defense for a multi-year project worth $39 million to develop monoclonal antibody technologies. The company will focus on decreasing the time it takes to develop and manufacture monoclonal antibodies so they can enter the clinic sooner, according to a Wednesday release.
API manufacturer Veranova is investing $30 million to expand its antibody-drug conjugate facility in Devens, MA. The expansion will include a new process development lab as well as two new manufacturing suites, according to the company Thursday.
ProBio opened its new plasmid DNA and viral vector manufacturing facility in Hopewell, NJ, on Tuesday. The 128,000 square-foot site will add to the company’s cell and gene therapy capabilities.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals is recalling 114 batches of 750 mg potassium chloride extended-release capsules because of “failed dissolution.” The capsules are for patients with low potassium in the blood. The production issue could cause hyperkalemia and cardiac arrest, according to a release Tuesday.
Gilead’s Kite is testing Cellares’ automated cell therapy platform, dubbed the Cell Shuttle, in a proof of concept study, the companies said Thursday. Bristol Myers Squibb, Cabaletta and Lyell Immunopharma have also tapped Cellares for its automated tech.
Charles River Laboratories has partnered with the Gates Institute at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus to make lentiviral vectors for the institute’s use for CAR-T cell therapies in blood cancers, according to a Tuesday release.
Generic and biosimilar manufacturer Boston Oncology Arabia received a $35 million investment from investment firm TVM Capital Healthcare. The funding will be for the manufacturer to reach full formulation and fill-finish manufacturing at its site in Sudair Industrial City in Saudi Arabia as well as expanding access to global suppliers, according to a Wednesday release.
Ritedose is expanding its production capabilities for ophthalmic and respiratory therapies. The new equipment is expected to be operational in August, the company said June 20. Ritedose has Blow-Fill-Seal tech to make, fill and seal containers such as inhalers.
Biologics and bioconjugate CDMO Abzena and Argonaut Manufacturing Services are partnering for Abzena to provide antibody discovery, development and manufacturing services to clients alongside Argonaut’s fill-finish capabilities, according to a June 20 release.