OcyonBio entered a manufacturing and operations agreement to develop biosimilar drug product facilities for Biosimilar Solutions, Inc. OcyonBio is creating an advanced therapy contract development, manufacturing organization (CDMO) that provides preclinical through commercial manufacturing including process development, plasmid DNA, viral vectors, cell banking, cell processing, and supporting testing capabilities.
 
The plant in Aguadilla will include more than 95,000 sq.-ft. of cleanroom and biomanufacturing space, with biosimilar production scheduled in 2022. Biosimilar Solutions previously entered a license and development with Reliance Life Sciences, who markets biosimilars in India and overseas markets. Biosimilar Solutions expects to manufacture in-house commercial-scale facilities for recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies (mammalian, microbial cell culture, fill-finish for vials and syringes).
 
“With our partnership development manufacturing organization model, OcyonBio is the perfect partner to usher in these biosimilars to the U.S. Biosimilar Solutions, Inc. will have streamlined control over cGMP production in a facility that has been designed to meet global regulatory expectations and readiness for FDA, EMA, and global regulatory audits,” said Robert Salcedo, CEO of OcyonBio.
 
Daniel Chang, co-founder of BioSimilar Solutions, said, “We are excited to start working with OcyonBio in Puerto Rico. There is no doubt the island’s capabilities in the bioscience sector will help us meet our goal of making medicines affordable for all.”
 
The company will leverage access to skilled talent, government incentives and other assets to establish world-class facilities dedicated to the research, development and manufacture of biosimilar therapies, including a Covid-19 vaccine, new cells and gene therapy, biological products, support clinical studies.