Grant Support for UK Viral Vector Manufacturing

Contract development and manufacturing organisation Cobra Biologics and Symbiosis Pharmaceutical Services, a contract manufacturing organisation (CMO) specialising in sterile Fill Finish, have been awarded a 16-month collaborative grant of £1.9m from Innovate UK.

Helping to establishing the commercial viral vector manufacturing capabilities within the UK, the joint investment project, costing £4.8m in total, aims to develop world leading capabilities for clinical and commercial production of gene and immunotherapy viral vectors for both drug substance and drug product manufacturing .

Peter Coleman, Chief Executive at Cobra Biologics said: “Cell and gene therapy products are showing tremendous potential in the treatment of patients. The successful development and production of viral vectors to deliver these therapies is critical to the success of these products. I am looking forward to working closely with Symbiosis to help establish the UK as world leader in is this exciting field.”

Colin MacKay, Chief Executive of Symbiosis added: “We are delighted to be working with Cobra on this project with the aim of developing a UK-based supply chain to both facilitate and accelerate the successful clinical and commercial manufacture of viral vectors.”

Dr Ian Campbell, Director of Health and Life Sciences, Innovate UK, said: “The UK is at the forefront of research into these new therapies, but there is a global shortage in viral vector manufacturing capacity and we need to act to take advantage of the commercial opportunities. Innovate UK funding for this vital project can help boost this sector and meet the needs of patients in the future.”