With the expansion, AGC Biologics aims to increase its capacities and execute its viral vector suspension capabilities
AGC Biologics to expand its Italy facility. (Credit: AGC Biologics.)
AGC Biologics, a US-based contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), has unveiled its plans to expand its cell and gene therapy centre of excellence in Milan, Italy.
With the expansion, the biopharmaceutical firm aims to increase its capacities and execute its viral vector suspension capabilities.
The expansion plan includes the addition of two more floors to the company’s suite and the installation of additional equipment on the current floor.
The expanded facility is anticipated to commence full operations in 2022.
AGC Biologics chief business officer Mark Womack said: “I’m very pleased that we’ll be able to offer our current and future cell and gene therapy customers even more of what they need from our Milan facility.
“This is but one of the important steps we are taking to ensure we keep pace with the evolving needs of the market.”
The expansion follows the company’s acquisition and integration of the previous MolMed facilities completed in July last year.
AGC Biologics said that its Milan site was the first GMP facility approved in Europe for ex-vivo gene therapy manufacturing.
Also, the site has a special commercial manufacturing experience, with two cell and gene therapy products.
The company claimed that it is one of the few CDMO’s worldwide, offering both plasmid production and end-to-end cell and gene therapy services.
AGC Biologics chief executive officer Patricio Massera said: “This investment is part of our global cell and gene therapy expansion plan in Europe, Asia and the US.
“All of our innovation and expansion is focused on the needs of our partners and the patients they serve. I look forward to announcing additional expansion plans soon.”
In November last year, AGC Biologics has announced its plans to increase the production capacity of its Copenhagen facility, with a new building on land adjacent to its current site.
With a total estimated investment of around €160m, the expansion included adding production floors with 2000L single-use bioreactors, labs and office space, and was scheduled to begin operations in 2023.