Cell therapy weekly: uBriGene moves into the US market with GMP facility acquisition
This week: UBriGene (Vancouver, Canada) moves into the US market with the acquisition of a GMP facility in Boston, Massachusetts; Therapeutic Solutions International (CA, USA) creates a subsidiary company to commercialize JadiCell and ElevateBio (MA, USA) secures US$401 million in Series D funding.
The news highlights:
UBriGene moves into the US market with GMP facility acquisition
The cell and gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), uBriGene (Vancouver, Canada), has expanded into the US market through its acquisition of a state-of-the-art multiproduct GMP manufacturing facility from Mustang Bio (MA, USA). The site is based in Worcester, Boston, Massachusetts, and is the company’s first facility in the US. The company currently has two other GMP facilities in China and its headquarters in Vancouver, Canada. Clinical manufacturing of Mustang Bio’s CAR-T cell therapy, MB-106, will be taken over by uBriGene as part of the purchase.
Alex Chen, President of uBriGene, stated: “This acquisition is important to uBriGene’s commitment to support the development, clinical, and commercial supply of cell and gene therapies to meet rapidly growing demand. We hope to work together with the University of Massachusetts Medical School to continue to grow the advanced therapy manufacturing ecosystem in the Worcester region.”
Spin-off will commercialize JadiCell
Therapeutic Solutions International (CA, USA) has created a subsidiary company, CTE Biologics, dedicated to the commercialization of JadiCell for the treatment of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. JadiCells are mesenchymal stem cells obtained from the lining of the umbilical cord and they have been licensed by Therapeutic Solutions International for this indication since 2019. The company is presently addressing questions from the US FDA before clinical trials are initiated.
“Based on our preclinical and pilot clinical observations we believe that our approach to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy possesses potential to address a condition which currently is not even properly diagnosed in living patients,” said Timothy Dixon, President, and CEO of Therapeutic Solutions International. “Creation of CTE Biologics allows for specialization and focus while leveraging existing resources within Therapeutic Solutions International.”
ElevateBio to accelerate growth with US$ 401 million
ElevateBio (MA, USA) announced the closing of its Series D funding, reaching US$401 million. The financing was led by the AyurMaya Capital Management Fund (MA, USA), which is managed by Matrix Capital Management (MA, USA). ElevateBio will utilize the funding to support and advance its technology platforms, including gene editing, iPSC and RNA, cell protein and vector engineering, as well as the company’s end-to-end genetic medicine current Good Manufacturing Practice manufacturing and process development business, BaseCamp®.
“We have made significant strides in scaling our technologies and end-to-end capabilities in our pursuit to become the world’s most indispensable cell and gene therapy technology company. We are thrilled to welcome Khalil to our Board as his expertise will be invaluable as the number of strategic partners harnessing the power of our integrated ecosystem continues to grow,” said David Hallal, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ElevateBio. “We’re emboldened by the pace of advancements to our technology platforms and continue to drive innovation from concept through commercialization and redefine how companies operate, how products are created, and how disease is treated.”