AstraZeneca acquires DSM Biologics manufacturing facility in Canada

06-Jun-2007

Royal DSM N.V. announces that AstraZeneca has acquired the biologics manufacturing facility in Montreal, Canada, from DSM Biologics Inc. This transaction will lead to a small book profit for DSM. The facility, occupying 66,000 sq. ft, will be used to manufacture antibody drug candidates for clinical trials and will serve the whole of the AstraZeneca group. Work will now start to re-commission the facility, and AstraZeneca plans to commence full scale production in 2009.

As announced in December 2005, DSM mothballed the Montreal facility as part of its strategy for DSM Biologics. Core to this strategy is the development and out-licensing of a new manufacturing technology platform based on the PER.C6® human cell line, in a joint venture with the Dutch biotechnology company Crucell N.V. DSM and its partner Crucell have recently announced a breakthrough in production yields, achieving 10g/L in the fermentation of monoclonal antibodies, using the PER.C6® technology platform, and stating a target of 20g/L for their near term development efforts.

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Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous

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Topic world Antibodies

Topic world Antibodies

Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous