Sanofi, Transgene Begin Construction of New Bioproduction Platform

Sanofi and Transgene SA have begun construction of the manufacturing platform for the production of a new class of APIs called viral vectors, including Transgene’s MUC1 targeted cancer immunotherapy, TG4010. In March 2013, the companies entered a long-term collaboration to build the unit, which will be located at Genzyme’s Polyclonals site in Lyon, France.
 
The companies will invest approximately €10 million in the production unit during a two-year period. This dedicated platform will be Sanofi’s exclusive property. SANOFI, through its Genzyme Polyclonals site, will act as Transgene’s contract manufacturer and Transgene will be considered a preferred customer of the platform through 2028.
 
Philippe Luscan, executive vice president of Industrial affairs Sanofi, said, “We are very pleased to partner with Transgene, an innovative biopharmaceutical company developing new drugs which might be a breakthrough in the treatment of life threatening diseases. This state-of-the art industrial platform will be dedicated to production of viral vectors through a broad range of technologies including mammalian cell culture up to 1m3 using single use bioreactors, combining the excellence of Genzyme, Sanofi-pasteur, and Transgene in Lyon area. Sanofi will bring to Transgene its know-how in bioproduction and experience to launch biologics. It reflects the core elements required in improving global health, innovation & partnership.”
 
Philippe Archinard, chairman and chief executive officer of Transgene, said, “We are very pleased to be moving forward with the construction phase of this important new commercial production unit. We are building a strong future for Transgene and are taking the steps needed to ensure sufficient future commercial supply. Sanofi is an ideal partner with extensive experience in effectively managing large production projects and manufacturing novel therapies in commercial quantities.”