Vetter and Rentschler Biopharma, two contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), have a formed a strategic collaboration to utilize each other’s capabilities to develop clients’ therapies for serious and rare diseases.
According to both companies, this could reduce complexity and cost for clients.
During the collaboration, Rentschler will be responsible for drug substance manufacturing, through its bioprocess development capabilities and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production. For Vetter’s part, it will provide fill-finish services and secondary packaging.
The partnership will first be tested through pilot client projects with joint team from both companies.
Through this process, a spokesperson for Rentschler outlined what opportunities this would provide to both companies:
- Optimizing interfaces and communications at an early stage
- Exchanging know-how and best-practice cases
- Aligning client questionnaires to get early access to product facts and timelines
- Simplifying structures, processes, and activities
- Sharing early visibility into manufacturing requirements
- Streamlining processes from early clinical development through delivery of commercial products
When asked why Rentschler had decided to pursue the collaboration avenue, the spokesperson outlined that it provided the CDMO access to ‘best-in-class capabilities’.
“Both companies have known each other for many years and share a commitment to high quality standards and sustainable value creation,” the spokesperson added.
During the pilot project phase, both companies will continue to provide services to current and new clients while the potential to integrate services is explored.
Vetter expands own capabilities
In an announcement just days after, Vetter stated that it would expand its clinical filling options in Europe through the addition of a new site in Austria.
The acquired site, which will be located in Rankweil, contains a vial filling line and a freeze dryer for liquid and lyophilized products, as well as material preparation and laboratory equipment.
Thomas Otto, managing director of Vetter, outlined that the new facility will primarily support early clinical development, through Phase I and Phase II.
The site is expected to begin operations in the second half of 2021.
