Biophytis SA, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutics aimed at slowing the degenerative processes associated with age-related diseases, and Seqens, a global player in solutions and ingredients for the pharmaceutical and specialty markets, reported the conclusion of a master agreement for the production of the active compound in Sarconeos (BIO101), Biophytis’ lead drug candidate developed for three indications: severe forms of Covid-19, sarcopenia and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Seqens will produce the active ingredient in Sarconeos (BIO101) in France at its Villeneuve La Garenne plant, near Paris. This site was modernized and expanded in 2020 with the opening of a unit to produce high-potential active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). 

Stanislas Veillet, Chairman and CEO of Biophytis, said: “This partnership is an important step for Biophytis, as it enables us to secure the production of the active ingredient in our main drug candidate. Seqens’ proven know-how and compliance with manufacturing standards will be decisive in meeting our needs over the next few years, particularly in the context of early access programs and with a view to market access applications for Sarconeos (BIO101) in the treatment of severe forms of Covid-19.”

Pierre Luzeau, chairman of the Seqens Group, said: “We are delighted to be putting our expertise at the service of Biophytis, and to be contributing to the success of ambitious projects that could improve the quality of life of millions of people. This partnership is part of a political context in which the relocation of the production of certain active compounds is recognized as essential to national and European health sovereignty. Our efforts in this area are already underway, and we are reinforcing them today through this partnership, which positions us to produce a new molecule with the potential to give France an undeniable comparative advantage.”