PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biotech focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapies for cardiopulmonary diseases, and BioVectra, a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), have entered a commercial scale supply agreement for the production of bentracimab, PhaseBio’s lead product candidate currently in a global Phase 3 clinical trial. Bentracimab is a novel, human monoclonal antibody fragment that in earlier clinical trials has shown immediate and sustained reversal of the antiplatelet effects of Brilinta (ticagrelor).
 
BioVectra will provide its integrated CDMO services for the manufacturing of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) of bentracimab for use in PhaseBio’s ongoing global clinical trials and for global commercial use upon regulatory approval. Utilizing a cost-efficient, E.coli-based manufacturing process at its manufacturing site in Windsor, Nova Scotia, BioVectra recently completed the first GMP run of bentracimab at commercial scale. Going forward, PhaseBio plans to integrate API manufactured at commercial scale at BioVectra into the ongoing Phase 2b and Phase 3 REVERSE-IT clinical trials to support global regulatory filings.
 
“As we prepare for the next phase of growth for bentracimab, we’re pleased to sign this agreement with BioVectra for the commercial supply and development of our novel reversal agent,” said Jonathan Mow, chief executive officer, PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals. “Having recently expanded our global Phase 3 REVERSE-IT trial into Canada and the European Union, and with other countries on the horizon, the signing of this agreement and the completion of our first commercial-scale manufacturing run are important steps as we continue preparing our regulatory filings and commercialization efforts for bentracimab. We believe BioVectra will be an excellent partner as we move down the path of developing and potentially commercializing the first specific antiplatelet reversal agent for ticagrelor.”
 
Pending approval of the drug by regulators, the partnership will enable PhaseBio to supply bentracimab at launch in the U.S. to key trauma and critical care centers. Based on data from IQVIA, PhaseBio believes that providing adequate bentracimab supply for initial stocking and demand-based reorders for these key centers will make bentracimab accessible to approximately 80% of the population in the U.S. who are prescribed P2Y12 inhibitors like ticagrelor.
 
“We’re excited to be partnering with PhaseBio under this new commercial agreement for the high-volume scale-up and global supply of bentracimab,” said Oliver Technow, chief executive officer, BioVectra. “BioVectra is an expert CDMO with proven, specialized capability in scaling the most complex biologic drug substances produced from fermentation. Leveraging our fully integrated approach and 50 years of experience, our highly-skilled team looks forward to continuing to make a difference in patients’ lives by delivering on and supporting PhaseBio’s global commercialization of bentracimab from our new, large-scale Microbial Biomanufacturing facility.”