BioCentriq expands cell and gene therapy manufacturing facilities

BioCentriq has completed the construction of a state-of-the-art GMP-ready clinical manufacturing facility in South Brunswick, New Jersey, the CDMO announced.

BioCentriq — first fully cGMP cell and gene therapy contract development and clinical manufacturing center located on a university campus in the U.S. — says the expansion provides capacity to accommodate a large spike in the demand for process development and clinical production of cell and gene therapies moving from bench to clinic. The new 9000-square foot facility is adjacent to its existing pilot plant and includes all the supporting infrastructure and lab space to support the clinical manufacturing of allogeneic and autologous cell therapies and gene therapies.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the industry’s manufacturing capacity has been re-directed to vaccine production. These capacity constraints are occurring at a time when the industry is experiencing exponential growth in the development of personalized medicines.

“This expansion of our clinical production capacity allows us to meet the demands of our clients,” stated Haro Hartounian, SVP and General Manager of BioCentriq. “We understand the myriad of challenges our clients face when they are optimizing and scaling up their processes to prepare for clinical manufacturing. Our team’s cumulative expertise in process development and GMP manufacturing enables us to meet the growing demand in this space.”

Initial projects will get underway in early fall, after validation and commissioning of the facility.