The Cambridge, UK-headquartered biopharmaceutical manufacturing and technology provider signed an agreement with an unnamed institution for access to cell lines representing multiple different species, tissue types and genetic disorders.
An Abzena spokesperson told this publication all the cell lines are mammalian, and while the benefit to customers with respect to time and cost is difficult to quantify, it will provide faster development of specialised bioassays.
“Not having to negotiate licenses each time they need access to a certain cell line will be a real benefit to the process.”
Abzena recently restructured its operations.
As well as relocating all its UK operations – including the head office functions, biology and chemistry research services groups – the firm leased a 50,000 foot facility at Lusk Boulevard, San Diego at which it plans to consolidate its regional operations.
The Lusk Boulevard facility houses clean rooms that will accommodate 500L and 2,000L bioreactors operated by Abzena’s manufacturing division.
And in January, the firm selected Sartorius Stedim Biotech to equip the San Diego plant, as well as Bristol, Pennsylvania site – used to develop and GMP (good manufacturing practice) manufacture antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) – with single use bioreactors up to 500L scale.