ADVERTORIAL
BioVectra ’ s biologics expansion BioVectra , a CDMO based in Atlantic Canada , has established its presence in the industry – and it is not slowing down any time soon . From its experience providing diagnostic reagents , enzymes and APIs , it has , over the past five decades , evolved its product and service offerings as new technologies developed .
BioVectra added microbial fermentation , highly potent APIs and PEGylated reagents to its portfolio in the early 2000s and now is aggressively investing in its ability to manufacture mRNA and plasmid DNA . Since announcing a $ 79.6 million expansion into this area in November 2021 , the company has been fielding enquiries from eager clients while putting in place the leadership required to realise this bold expansion .
Recently , BioVectra welcomed Peter Ercoli ( pictured ) as chief operating officer , Biologics . With an impressive 30-year career in regulated industries , this new , dedicated position allows Ercoli to focus on this growing business segment .
Microbial fermentation for biologics
BioVectra has deep experience using microbial fermentation for the production of small molecules . The next logical next step was to add large molecule platforms . The company ’ s facility in Nova Scotia – the anchor to its growing biologics programme – is dedicated to this modality , with stainless steel microbial bioreactors ranging from 3,000 to 17,000 L and a first-of-its-kind installation in North
America of a 1,000 L single-use microbial fermentation suite .
mRNA production
The accelerated development and regulatory approval of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 opened the door for another big area of growth , the manufacture of pDNA and mRNA , including the formulation of mRNA therapeutics into lipid nanoparticles .
Slated to begin production later this year , the company ’ s biomanufacturing and mRNA facility in Charlottetown , Prince Edward Island , will produce bulk drug substance and final drug product to fill the equivalent of 160 million doses / year of mRNA vaccine and fill-finish 70 million final vaccine doses / year . It will support clinical programmes through to commercialisation of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics .
“ We ’ re launching a new end-toend production line , from pDNA transformation all the way to filled sterile vial drug product ,” says Ercoli . “ As the industry evolves , we ’ re looking toward applications for mRNA vaccines beyond COVID-19 , for flu , oncology and autoimmune diseases .”
BioVectra ’ s rapid expansion also includes a new facility in Halifax , Nova Scotia , that will perform high-throughput experiments to develop and scale up processes for the production of biologics , pDNA and mRNA , as well as cell line development and banking services .
An exciting fiveyear plan
“ Our growth will continue to be explosive ,” Ercoli says . “ As we further cultivate our capabilities , our reputation in biologics will only grow and we ’ ll be known throughout industry as a trusted partner for solutions and commercial supply .”
From supporting development needs and tech transfers , to running a process from a frozen vial all the way to fill-finish of drug product , BioVectra has become a one-stop CDMO . Its clients can only benefit from the fact that its scientists work on various molecules each year . This experience provides a level of knowledge and expertise that cannot come from working on a single product for a decade .
But for Ercoli , the work amounts to so much more than the technology . “ The leap from producing small molecule APIs to making biologics is an exciting transition . We ’ re progressing from addressing symptoms to treating diseases , improving patients ’ lives worldwide .” ●
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