Genta and Avecia sign long-term manufacturing and supply agreement
US biopharmaceutical company Genta and UK-based Avecia have signed a five-year agreement for the manufacturing and supply of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for Genasense (oblimersen sodium), Genta's lead anticancer drug.
US biopharmaceutical company Genta and UK-based Avecia have signed a five-year agreement for the manufacturing and supply of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for Genasense (oblimersen sodium), Genta's lead anticancer drug.
The two companies initiated their first manufacturing agreement in 2001, under which Avecia has supplied API for Genta's worldwide clinical trials. The new agreement provides for sufficient quantities of API to accommodate both existing and new clinical trials, as well as quantities of Genasense for worldwide commercial launch. Avecia's biotechnology facility in Milford, Massachusetts, will continue to be the primary source of supply for Genasense.
Genasense is comprised of a short strand of DNA bases (oligonucleotides), which has been chemically modified and synthesised to bind a specific region of RNA. It is being developed in collaboration with Aventis and is currently undergoing late-stage, Phase III clinical testing in several clinical indications, including malignant melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer.
'Genta is Avecia's largest customer in this new and rapidly developing area of high-value DNA-based medicines,' said Jeremy Scudamore, Avecia's ceo.
Avecia is the world's largest manufacturer of DNA medicines. Early last year it completed a US$5m (€4.8m) expansion of facilities at its Milford facility, tripling its capacity to approximately 200kg. annually. Capacity is currently being increased again at Milford to 350kg. Avecia also has plans for the world's first 1,000kg DNA medicines production facility though timing and location are not yet determined.