WuXi Advanced Therapies, a unit of WuXi AppTec, is partnering with a Singapore science and technology agency to advance cell and gene therapy production in the Asia-Pacific arena.
The agreement centers on WuXi ATU’s Tetracycline-Enabled Self-Silencing Adenovirus (TESSA) tech that improves adeno-associated virus (AAV) yields and particle quality, the company says. The platform produces significantly more AAV than plasmid-based manufacturing for cell and gene therapies, according to the Philadelphia-based CDMO unit.
Under the agreement, WuXi ATU will provide materials, equipment, funding, and training required to further develop and commercialize its technology. Singapore’s Bioprocessing Technology Institute will kick in its research expertise, facilities and access to its network of partners.
Financial terms of the partnership weren’t disclosed.
“This is a significant step towards Singapore's goal to be an innovative biotherapeutics bioprocessing R&D hub,” Koh Boon Tong, BTI’s executive director, said in a statement.
It was just about two years ago WuXi Advanced Therapies expanded its offerings when it rolled out a “fully integrated closed process CAR-T cell therapy platform.” That platform has the ability to establish batch records for raw materials, provide regulatory and technical know-how, process development, testing, quality control and more.