Anthera Pharmaceuticals has selected the Merck BioManufacturing Network to manufacture the large-scale GMP clinical and pre-commercial supplies of A-623, an investigational peptibody in development for autoimmune diseases.

"Establishing a rapid and high quality supply of A-623 for our current and future clinical programs is a critical element of our strategic plan and provides a number of potential development options," said Paul F. Truex, president and chief executive officer of Anthera. "The selection of the Merck BioManufacturing Network provides world-class, large molecule manufacturing capabilities at all stages of production with the necessary expertise to accelerate the development of A-623 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases."

Steve Bagshaw, site general manager of the Merck BioManufacturing Network, said, "We are delighted that Anthera has chosen to work with us, recognizing our many years of development experience in microbial biologics and our capacity that offers appropriate scales for their manufacturing needs." A-623 will be manufactured in the Billingham, UK facility of the Network.