Akron Biotechnology has signed an exclusive global agreement to manufacture virally inactivated human AB serum for the cell therapy market using Octaplas, Octapharma’s pooled, solvent-detergent treated human plasma. Akron Biotech is a manufacturer of cGMP-compliant ancillary materials for cell and gene therapy development and commercialisation. Switzerland-based Octapharma is one of the largest human protein manufacturers in the world, developing and producing human proteins from human plasma and human cell lines.
Human AB serum converted from plasma is a critical media supplement used in cell therapy manufacturing. These challenging times once again demonstrated the paramount role of patient safety. Therefore, starting with a virally inactivated, licensed pharmaceutical grade plasma product such as Octaplas can help to support research and development requirements with a view to eventual commercialisation.
Under the agreement, Akron Biotech will produce Human AB serum converted from Octaplas, Octapharma’s pooled, solvent/detergent treated human plasma product. The Octaplas viral inactivation and production process includes multiple independent, complementary, and validated steps to eliminate or reduce non-enveloped and enveloped viruses such as the novel viral agent SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. The products will be co-labelled and available in the US, EU, and Asia.
“After years of working with Octapharma, we are taking our relationship to the next level to create a powerful resource for the cell therapy market,” explained David Smith, President and Chief Commercial Officer at Akron Biotech. “The products that result from Octapharma’s plasma technologies and Akron Biotech’s manufacturing and commercialisation will enable the global industry to move forward with greater confidence and safety.”
