AGC Biologics Adds Viral Vector Suspension Technology at New US Campus

AGC Biologics announced in May 2022 that it is adding viral vector suspension technology and capacity for the development and manufacturing of gene therapies at its commercial-grade campus in Longmont, Colo. The new capabilities will start coming online in the third quarter of 2022 and will complement the site’s adherent viral vector and cell therapy offerings.

This expansion will more than double the Longmont site’s viral vector capacity and will help the company meet market demand. The expansion is part of AGC Biologics’ more than $30 million investment in the new Longmont campus. The new viral vector suspension capabilities include a full complement of bioreactor sizes for product development (AMBR, 10 L and 50 L), and a complete range of commercial manufacturing capacities (50 L, 200 L, 500 L, and 2000 L). The expansion will enable the site to provide support for the entire lifecycle of a product, according to a company press release.

AGC Biologics acquired the Longmont campus in August 2021. The company previously acquired a cell and gene therapy site in Milan, Italy, from MolMed in 2020.

“This investment helps AGC Biologics address the needs of gene therapy developers at our new central location in North America,” said Patricio Massera, CEO of AGC Biologics, in the press release. “When you combine these new capabilities and the technical expertise at our Longmont campus, with our Milan facility’s lentiviral vector platform and its extensive gene therapy CDMO [contract development and manufacturing organization] experience, we can now support virtually any viral vector program being developed anywhere in the world.”

“The suspension expansion helps us offer the most impactful, efficient and scalable technologies for bringing viral vector-based gene therapy products to market,” said Tony Fraij, general manager, AGC Biologics Longmont, in the press release. “This latest investment helps us round out the services we offer at this campus. Now, with a full suite of capabilities and the extensive expertise of our scientists, we can support virtually any type of viral vector or cell therapy development and manufacturing project.”

Source: AGC Biologics