apceth to Manufacture First Potential One-Time Gene Therapy for Transfusion-Dependent Beta-Thalassemia

Apceth Biopharma GmbH, a leading company for the development and manufacturing of cell and gene therapeutics, congratulates its partner bluebird bio on the acceptance and validation of its market authorization application by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). bluebird bio has applied for market authorization of its investigational LentiGlobin™ gene therapy for the treatment of adolescents and adults with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) and a non-β0/β0 genotype.

"We congratulate our partner bluebird bio on this recent success", commented Dr Christine Guenther, CEO of apceth Biopharma. "These are exciting times also for apceth, as we are now in the position to become one of the very few companies worldwide to manufacture a cell-based gene therapy for commercial use." apceth has supported and will continue to support bluebird bio for obtaining the market authorization for LentiGlobin™.

Following a successful long-term manufacturing relationship, apceth Biopharma and bluebird bio entered a commercial drug product manufacturing agreement in 2016. apceth Biopharma is bluebird bio’s clinical and commercial manufacturing partner for Europe not only for LentiGlobin, but also for bluebird bio’s product candidate Lenti-D for cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy.

Link to press release from bluebird bio: http://investor.bluebirdbio.com/news-releases/news-release-details/bluebird-bio-announces-european-medicines-agencys-acceptance

 
About apceth Biopharma GmbH
apceth Biopharma is a pioneering company in cell therapies and regenerative medicine with an innovative portfolio of drug candidates for the treatment of inflammation, autoimmunity and solid tumors. apceth is developing two proprietary next generation gene therapy products, which are based on the introduction of therapeutic transgenes into mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). apceth-201 expresses the immunomodulatory protein alpha-1 antitrypsin for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease. The company’s second program, apceth-301, expresses a potent immunostimulatory "cocktail" of cytokines, which locally activates the immune system to eradicate tumor cells. apceth-301 is currently being developed for glioblastoma as well as for other solid tumors.

apceth Biopharma is also a leading and certified Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization for cell and gene therapeutics with a broad international customer base. apceth owns state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities with Grade B/A, C and D cleanrooms (ISO 5, ISO 7, ISO 8, BSL2) and is certified according to regulatory requirements for cell and gene therapies (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products, ATMPs). The company has a comprehensive expertise in GMP manufacturing of autologous and allogeneic cell types that are either native or genetically modified. It has long-standing experience with various cell products, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), lymphocytes, monocytes, dendritic cells, cord blood derived stem cells, and has the potential to expand to CAR-T and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs) technologies. apceth has successfully obtained manufacturing licenses for multiple cell therapy products for clinical as well as commercial use. apceth’s CDMO team provides fully customized solutions in the development and production of every customer product and process. Located centrally in the heart of Europe, apceth can perform efficient and fast supply for patients all over the continent.