The expansion is under a new contract financed entirely by Federal funds under a contract awarded to ABL from National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Department of Health and Human Services, (DHHS).
The new agreement builds on previous collaborations between Evotec Biologics and ABL to design ‘highly efficient’ manufacturing processes for broadly neutralising antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV.
Dr Matthias Evers, chief business officer of Evotec, commented: “We are excited to expand our long-standing partnership with ABL to include the development of a third bNAb. By leveraging Evotec Biologics’ next-generation biomanufacturing platform we an integrated development and manufacturing solution for our partner to support the provide delivery of new therapeutic options targeting HIV together.”
Under the extended collaboration, Evotec Biologics will develop a third bNAb and perform large-scale cGMP manufacturing campaigns for both this bNAb and a previously developed bNAb against HIV for a phase 1 clinical study.
Lauren Hudacik, CEO and president at ABL, added: “ABL has a long history of supporting the U.S. government’s mission to develop effective prevention and therapeutic products against HIV. This expansion of partnership with Just – Evotec Biologics strengthens that tradition.”
According to the World Health Organization, there are over 38 million individuals living with HIV worldwide.
The development of safe and efficacious HIV-1 treatments and prevention strategies remains one of the highest priorities of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.
No financial details of the agreement between Evotec Biologics and ABL were disclosed.