Avid Bioservices, Inc. announced the opening of the analytical and process development (AD/PD) suites within the company’s new, world-class viral vector development and CGMP manufacturing facility. The launch of the AD/PD labs comes eight months to the day that Avid announced its intention to expand its CDMO service offering into the rapidly growing cell and gene therapy market. Build-out of the viral vector facility’s CGMP manufacturing suites is ongoing, with those capabilities expected to come online in mid-calendar 2023.
The company’s new AD/PD labs are equipped with complete upstream, downstream and analytical development capabilities and are able to support up to 500 liter suspension culture in single-use bioreactors and various adherent cell modes. The company’s viral vector AD/PD team, which is led by Elie G. Hanania, Ph.D., has deep expertise in developing and implementing state-of-the-art enabling technologies for viral vector production and purification processes focused on adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), lentiviruses, oncolytic viruses and other viruses for gene therapy and vaccine applications.
“Avid’s entry into the cell and gene therapy sector is a critical component of the company’s growth strategy over both the short- and long-term. We believe that we are uniquely positioned to leverage our deep expertise in the manufacturing of traditional biologics to address the growing demand for high quality manufacturing of cell and gene therapies,” said Nick Green, president and chief executive officer of Avid Bioservices. “Today’s launch of our AD/PD labs is a crucial first step in our expansion into the viral vector space as we remain laser focused on smart and sustainable revenue growth for our business. We now look forward to engaging in a meaningful way with potential viral vector clients and offering this latest tangible evidence of the quality of Avid’s facilities and the capabilities of our team.”
In October 2022, Avid announced plans to construct a purpose-built 53,000 square foot viral vector facility in Costa Mesa, CA, approximately five miles from Avid’s existing operations in Tustin, CA. The strategic decision was driven by continued strong growth in the cell and gene therapy market combined with the CDMO industry’s overall lack of proven, high-quality CGMP manufacturing expertise and capacity for viral vectors. With more than 17 years of experience in commercial manufacturing of biologics underpinned by a strong quality ethos and a customer-centric approach to doing business, Avid offers a strong value proposition to prospective customers in the cell and gene therapy market.
“The opening of our newly constructed viral vector process and analytical development laboratories within eight months of our announced investment is truly a testament to the capability and dedication of our Avid team, as well as our partners at CRB. We are excited to begin working on customer projects in this new facility and look forward to completing the ongoing construction of our new vial vector CGMP manufacturing suites,” said Drew Brennan, general manager of viral vector technologies of Avid Bioservices.
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