Pfizer nabs Roslin Cells in cell therapy manufacturing deal
This trial will evaluate the therapy for the treatment of patients suffering from age related macular degeneration (AMD), the major cause of loss of vision in people aged 65 and older, as part of an ongoing collaboration with The London Project at the Institute of Ophthalmology, UCL.
Manufacturing will take place in the company’s GMP Cellular Therapy Manufacturing Facility in Edinburgh, which was licensed by the Medicines Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency in May 2013 for the manufacture of human cell therapy products for clinical trials.
Speaking on the deal, Janet Downie, COO of Roslin Cells, told BioPharma-Reporter.com, “We are currently using a range of tissue culture flasks within the facility. We are currently evaluating bioreactors but have not introduced [any] yet.”
The 5,000-square-foot facility still has capacity to take on new projects later in the year, Downie noted. We are also manufacturing for ReNeuron with a plan to supply the phase 2 stroke trial.
Aidan Courtney, CEO of Roslin Cells, added, “This contract builds on our success to secure other leading cell therapy programmes and demonstrates our position in regenerative medicine in Europe. It represents the culmination of a four year programme to design, build and commission a premier facility for cell therapy development here in Edinburgh.”
The manufacturing facility runs in partnership with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service. In addition to manufacturing established cellular products, Roslin supports commercial and academic clients, including early phase GMP manufacturing of cellular therapies for clinical trials.
