Pharmaceutical Technology Editors

Swedish biotech, Salipro Biotech, has been granted a European Patent for its novel method of direct extraction of membrane proteins (DirectMX) and for the generation of libraries with Salipro particles, the company announced in a Feb. 17, 2021 press release.

The “Saposin lipoprotein particles and libraries from crude membranes” patent covers the use of DirectMX from cells or crude membranes to enable drug development of challenging drug targets. Additionally, the generation of libraries with Salipro particles representing the membrane proteome, the particles themselves, and their uses is covered.

“Ever since its inception, DirectMX has had a profound impact on how we accelerate drug discovery with our pharma partners,” said Jens Frauenfeld, CEO, Salipro Biotech in the press release. “Our foundational [intellectual property] covering the Salipro platform technology has already resulted in various patents being granted to Salipro Biotech in the [United States], [European Union], China, and Japan, and this patent will provide additional broad protection for our proprietary platform technology for the stabilization of challenging drug targets.”

Maria Knudsen, business developer, Salipro Biotech, added in the press release, “DirectMX is rapidly becoming established as a key drug discovery platform and we are already partnering with major pharma companies on a range of targets. Further strengthening our patent portfolio will enable us to increase the value of such collaborations as well as moving towards building our own discovery pipeline.”

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Salipro Biotech has been granted a European Patent for its novel method of direct extraction of membrane proteins and for the generation of libraries with Salipro particles.

Salipro Biotech Gains European Patent for Novel Method of Membrane Protein Extraction and Library Generation

CPI announced the signing of an agreement with PwC, making the latter a partner in the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Center collaboration. The partnership will use PwC’s global reach, expertise, and experience within the life sciences sector to benefit patients, drive economic growth, and help strengthen the United Kingdom’s global position in advanced medicines manufacturing innovations, CPI said in a Feb. 11, 2021 press release.

PwC will be joining founding partners CPI, the University of Strathclyde, GlaxoSmithKline, and AstraZeneca to address challenges and maximize technology opportunities within the pharmaceutical supply chain. The collaboration will implement projects meant to advance emergent and disruptive technologies. The program is part-funded by Innovate UK through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund and Scottish Enterprise, via the Scottish Government.

PwC’s contributions will include the increase of opportunities for business development through its global connectivity and brand authority and an evaluation of the marketplace for future technologies. The company will also act as a scout for new disruptive innovations, organizations, and global opportunities. In addition, PwC will develop market analysis and studies to communicate the value of current and future projects and demonstrate impact as well help seek funding from private investors, industry, and government.

“We are excited to join the team at the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation [Center] bringing PwC’s insights, experiences, and connections. We are confident that this collaboration will have a big impact on the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing,” said Johnathon Marshall, UK Pharma and Life Science Consulting lead at PwC, in the press release.

“[A] planned new facility in Renfrewshire is befitting of the strength and depth of the pharma and life sciences capabilities here in Scotland. We have a highly skilled team within our pharma and life sciences industry group, and we’re really excited to be embarking on this partnership with the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation [Center]. Looking at the cutting-edge advanced manufacturing capabilities that exist here, we see it as a very significant GDP [gross domestic product] growth area for the UK,” added Scott Lawson, a Glasgow-based director at PwC, in the press release.

“By partnering with PwC, the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation [Center] will be able to work smarter, better, and faster, ensuring more value to patients and the economy while advancing the UK’s already strong medicines manufacturing industry even further,” said Dave Tudor, managing director of the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Center, Biologics and Quality at CPI, in the press release.

PwC has teamed up with CPI on the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Center to strengthen the UK’s position in advanced medicines manufacturing.

PwC Becomes Partner in Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Center

Connecticut Innovations (CI), Connecticut’s strategic venture capital arm and a primary source of financing and ongoing support for the state’s innovative, growing companies, has launched efforts to promote Connecticut’s life sciences ecosystem. The campaign is being conducted in partnership with AdvanceCT and BioCT, according to a Feb. 11, 2021 press release.

The campaign, known as “Connecticut: Where Science Lives,” highlights the life sciences opportunities in Connecticut and is intended to attract new businesses to the state, while supporting existing businesses. The campaign was designed by Primacy, a full-service digital experience agency located in Farmington, CT, and includes a dedicated website; traditional, digital and out of home advertising; and social media outreach. The effort was prompted by state legislation passed in 2018 to position Connecticut as a leader in life sciences.

The state has seen a surge of activity in the life sciences sector from the growth of companies like Sema4 and Arvinas; a $200-million, 14-story, 513,000-ft2, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified office space and life sciences incubator in New Haven, CT; and the COVID-related successes from Pfizer, CI said in the press release.

“Connecticut has become a nucleus of life science advancement, and companies of all sizes are taking maximum advantage of intellectual capital, talent, and practical expertise to be found here,” said Dawn Hocevar, president and CEO of BioCT, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and growing bioscience in Connecticut, in the press release. “Startup activity is at a high; we are seeing record investment and expansion within the ecosystem, and several new commercial developments are underway to deliver increased lab space and resources in the near future.”

“Through the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund (CBIF), we are seeing more investment opportunities in life sciences than ever before,” said Matt McCooe, CEO of Connecticut Innovations, in the press release. “The hope is that this campaign highlights what most of us who live here already know—companies can succeed here because of access to capital, resources, and top talent, which are essential for growth.”

“The Where Science Lives campaign is consistent with our mission to engage, retain, and recruit businesses to our state,” said Peter Denious, president and CEO of AdvanceCT, in the press release. “Life sciences is one of our key industries in Connecticut, and this campaign highlights our value proposition for employers and industry professionals. We look forward to making new connections and helping interested employers and talent learn more about the life—and the science—in our great state.”

Connecticut Innovations has launched a campaign to highlight the growing companies, top talent, cutting-edge research, and quality of life in Connecticut’s life sciences ecosystem.

Connecticut Launches Life Sciences Ecosystem Marketing Initiative

Lonza announced on Feb. 16, 2021 that it is expanding its solid form selection services at its Bend, OR site.

The increased services will work in conjunction with the site’s SimpliFiH Solutions first-in-human services, which includes phase-appropriate drug substance and drug product development and manufacturing, Lonza said in a company press release. The added services will also improve the company’s ability to meet accelerated timelines for complex molecules.

“We continue to expand and refine our first-in-human services based on what our customers are telling us,” said Christian Dowdeswell, vice-president and global head, Commercial Development – Small Molecules, Lonza, in the press release. “Choosing the right solid form and identifying the interplay between solid form and drug product is critical in the rapid advancement of molecules while minimizing risk and cost. Our expanded solid form services offering is designed to meet the early-stage molecule development of small biopharma players.”

“The overwhelming majority of new organic compounds have multiple forms and each drug and indication may require a tailored approach to lead form selection,” added Michael Grass, director of Solid Form Services – Small Molecules, Lonza, in the press release. “Our methodology, which builds on core competencies in material science and problem statement identification, is aimed at thorough solid form selection to ensure that all options for drug substances and drug product are considered early in the development process.”

The increased services will work in conjunction with the site’s SimpliFiH Solutions first-in-human services, which includes phase-appropriate drug substance and drug product development and manufacturing.

Lonza to Expand its Small Molecule Services at Oregon Site

High Purity New England (HPNE), a biopharma solutions supplier, announced on Feb. 16, 2021 that it has launched the VerderFlex Vantage 5000 peristaltic pump from Verder Inc.

Suitable for low to medium flow at low to medium pressures, the pump offers a flow rate from 70 µl/min up to 6600 ml/min and comes equipped with record keeping and control options, with a high resolution 4000:1 turndown drive, HPNE said in a company press release. The pump also includes touch screen technology, downloadable jobs and pump histories, and the option to remotely monitor the pump through the Verderflex App. Additionally, the touchscreen features icon-based programming, real time stamped events, and the ability to onboard storage via a USB.

The VerderFlex Vantage 5000 peristaltic pump is suitable for low to medium flow at low to medium pressures.

High Purity New England Launches New Peristaltic Pump from Verder

Pfizer and BioNTech announced on Feb. 12, 2021 that it will supply the United States with an additional 100 million doses of its Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, bringing the total number of doses supplied by the companies up to 300 million.

Under the terms of the agreement, the US government will pay $1.95 billion for the additional 100 million doses, Pfizer said in a company press release. The vaccine is currently being manufactured at Pfizer’s facility in Kalamazoo, MI, and holds emergency use authorizations or equivalent in the US, United Kingdom, and Canada.

“We support the new administration's plan to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible because there is an urgent need to help protect people from this virus, here in the US and across the globe,” said Albert Bourla, chairman and CEO, Pfizer, in the press release. "We are pleased to work with the administration to provide these additional vaccines, so that more Americans receive their first and second doses as soon as possible."

“It is our objective to supply as many doses of our COVID-19 vaccine as possible to people in order to help end this pandemic, reduce the hospitalization of especially elderly people, and bring us back to our normal lives,” added Ugur Sahin, MD, CEO and co-founder of BioNTech, in the press release.

The US government will pay $1.95 billion for the additional 100 million doses, bringing the total number of doses supplied by the companies up to 300 million.