Bristol Myers Squibb Boosts Cell Therapy Capabilities by Introducing New U.S. Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility
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Following the execution of an agreement with Novartis, Bristol Myers Squibb recently announced the expansion of its global cell therapy manufacturing network to enable in-house viral vector production through a U.S.-based manufacturing facility and its operations in Libertyville, Illinois.
Article Summary
The laboratory and its operations are capable of producing viral vectors for the two CAR T cell therapies offered by Bristol Myers Squibb. Long-term goals for the company in cell therapy are advanced by this research.
“The addition of an in-house facility for viral vector production that complements our external partnerships affords us the ability to manufacture current and next-generation vector technology, and increase future capacity,” said Karin Shanahan, executive vice president, Global Product Development & Supply, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Bringing the Libertyville site operations and employees onboard to join our expanding global cell therapy manufacturing network enhances the depth and breadth of our existing capabilities.”
In February 2023, results from a Phase III study showed Bristol Myers Squibbs’ Abecma more than tripled progression-free survival for multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Therefore, the in-house production will support BMS’s current CAR T therapies progress through development.
Because cell treatments are developed specifically for each patient, utilizing that patient’s own T cells as the starting material, their production is technically and operationally challenging. In order to design T cells for injection back into the patient, viral vectors are a crucial component. The demand for viral vectors is dramatically rising as cell treatments quickly change how we treat various forms of cancer. To keep up with rising demand and make sure that more eligible patients may obtain these medicines, Bristol Myers Squibb uses a dual-sourcing vector method to guarantee dependable supply of CAR T cell therapies.
“Bringing viral vector production in-house helps us further build our leadership position in cell therapy with potential for more patients to get treated by one of our transformational cell therapies,” said Lynelle Hoch, senior vice president, Global Cell Therapy Franchise Lead, Bristol Myers Squibb. “The strong demand for our differentiated and transformational cell therapies underscores their value to patients, and we are committed to pursuing opportunities to bring these treatments to patients in need.”
The company is dedicated to finding ways to boost the steady supply of its transformative cell therapies. The company’s extensive global network already includes three cutting-edge cell therapy manufacturing facilities in Bothell, Washington; Warren, New Jersey; and Summit, New Jersey, as well as two more that are under construction in Devens, Massachusetts, and Leiden, the Netherlands.
Over the course of this year, Bristol Myers Squibb is expected to take over the new U.S. facility, provided that all necessary closure conditions are met.
The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended approval of Bristol Myers Squibb’s Camzyos (mavacamten) to treat adult patients with symptomatic (New York Heart Association class II-III) obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
The regulatory opinion on the approval of Camzyos is based on the data obtained from EXPLORER-HCM and VALOR-HCM Phase III trials.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global pharmaceutical company with a strong presence in the biopharmaceutical industry. They are known for their expertise in immunology, oncology, and hematology. Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is committed to discovering, developing, and delivering innovative therapies to improve the lives of patients worldwide. The company has a diverse portfolio of biologic drugs that have made significant contributions to the treatment of various diseases. One of their notable biologic therapies is Opdivo (nivolumab), which is an immune checkpoint inhibitor used in the treatment of multiple types of cancer, including lung cancer, melanoma, and renal cell carcinoma. BMS has also developed biologic drugs such as Orencia (abatacept), used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and Empliciti (elotuzumab), used in combination with other medications for multiple myeloma. With a focus on research and development, Bristol Myers Squibb continues to work on advancing biologic therapies and exploring new treatment options for patients in need. They strive to make a positive impact on global healthcare by addressing unmet medical needs and improving patient outcomes through their innovative biologic products.
About Novartis
Novartis is a multinational pharmaceutical company based in Switzerland. It is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies known for its wide range of innovative healthcare products. Novartis operates in various therapeutic areas, including pharmaceuticals, generics, eye care, and biopharmaceuticals. The company has a strong presence in the biologics field and has developed several notable biologic drugs. One of their prominent biologic therapies is Lucentis (ranibizumab), which is used for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration and other retinal disorders. Novartis is also known for their biologic drug Cosentyx (secukinumab), a breakthrough treatment for autoimmune conditions such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. It targets specific proteins involved in inflammation to provide relief to patients suffering from these conditions. Additionally, Novartis has made significant advancements in the field of gene and cell therapies. They have developed products such as Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel), a groundbreaking CAR-T cell therapy used in the treatment of certain types of blood cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Novartis continues to invest in research and development to drive innovation in biologic therapies. They are dedicated to addressing unmet medical needs and improving patient outcomes through their cutting-edge biopharmaceutical products.
