Crown Bioscience has expanded its San Diego, CA, facility to create CrownBio’s U.S. Center of Excellence for Oncology, to support increasing demand for oncology research studies.

The enlarged 22,000-square-foot facility more than triples CrownBio’s original capacity at this site, adding multiple holding rooms, and dedicated procedure and formulation space. The USDA-certified facilities, fitted with Biosafety Level 2 environmental controls, also allow for handling of viral agents for oncolytic virus studies.

“By expanding our U.S. Center of Excellence for Oncology, we have enhanced both our capabilities and capacity, to meet the increased demand for the types of oncology research critical to public health,” said Jean-Pierre Wery, chief executive officer, CrownBio.

This expansion enables scientists to isolate and compartmentalize incoming projects, including separate suites for work with infectious agents. CrownBio’s immuno-oncology capabilities will be enlarged, with separate rooms dedicated to immunocompetent and immunodeficient models.

This expansion also improves CrownBio’s ability to minimize contamination risk, while protecting data integrity of the study.

“This expanded San Diego facility will enable CrownBio to continue to offer our clients the timelines and responsiveness they demand, and at the same time allow us to optimize resource and capacity management in the U.S.,” said Mike Prosser, general manager of European and North American operations, CrownBio. “By creating a single Center of Excellence in North America, we can now deliver the highest quality research from a truly state-of-the art facility.”