Univercells Launches CDMO to Support Cell and Gene Therapy Developers

Belgian-based bioprocessing provider, Univercells, has launched a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), Exothera, that will support developers of cell and gene therapies through process development and production of viral vectors.

In a March 19, 2020 press release, Univercells explained that the new CDMO had been created to assist with two challenges that are considered to be critical in bringing novel cell and gene therapies to market-namely a lack of capacity and insufficient bioprocessing expertise. Exothera will combine applied bioprocessing experience with technologies that it will leverage from its parent company, Univercells, among others.

Initially, Exothera’s activities will be performed at the Nivelles site in Belgium, and then afterwards will be completed at a site in Jumet, Belgium, which was recently acquired by Univercells. The Jumet site will be renovated to include laboratories, cleanrooms, and good manufacturing practice (GMP) qualified manufacturing areas for clinical and commercial production. Furthermore, once ready, the flexible GMP areas of the Jumet site will be used for Exothera’s CDMO activities as well as Univercells ongoing vaccine development and manufacturing initiatives.

“This new focus will enable our team to leverage expertise with innovation to overcome the industry’s production constraints and foster the success of cell and gene therapies,” said Hugues Bultot, CEO of Univercells and Exothera, in the press release. “We strongly believe that Exothera will make a difference in the manufacturing of these advanced and critically needed therapies, ultimately unlocking their potential to improve patients’ lives.”

Source: Univercells