Cambrex Completes CuraGen Project

Cambrex Bio Science Baltimore and Cambrex Bio Science Walkersville, subsidiaries of Cambrex Corp., completed the production and packaging of CuraGen Corp’s CR011-vcMMAE, an investigational drug product currently in a Phase I study examining its use for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.

CR011-vcMMAE is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) consisting of CR011, a fully-human monoclonal antibody linked to a cell-killing drug payload. Cambrex Bio Science Baltimore, Inc. scaled-up the CuraGen process for the bulk antibody production and the process for conjugating the antibody to MMAE.

“Cambrex did an excellent job manufacturing CR011-vcMMAE, on-time and within budget,” stated Dr. Steven Henck, vice president of operations at CuraGen. “The CR011-vcMMAE molecule has multiple components as it combines both a biologic and a potent cytotoxic small molecule drug. Cambrex’ ability to execute the antibody manufacturing, perform the conjugation, and complete the fill and finish of this antibody-drug conjugate helped facilitate our aggressive timelines and accelerate our path into clinical development.”

“CuraGen has been a client since 2002 and we have worked with them on other projects,” commented Steven Klosk, chief operating officer, Cambrex Biopharma business unit. “We were very pleased when CuraGen entrusted Cambrex with CR011-vcMMAE. We successfully completed the project and provided CuraGen with the necessary material to advance their efforts into the clinic.”