Nexvet Biopharma, a veterinary biologics developer, has signed a manufacturing agreement with FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies (Fujifilm) to provide future clinical-scale biomanufacturing services for Nexvet’s product candidates, NV-01 and NV-02, being developed for chronic pain management in dogs and cats. Under the contract, Fujifilm may also become the commercial manufacturer of these products.
 
“We look forward to working with Fujifilm on the manufacturing processes for our veterinary product candidates in preparation for commercial supply. We welcome a partnership with Fujifilm in animal health,” said Dr. Mark Heffernan, chief executive officer of Nexvet.
 
Additionally, Nexvet has appointed Ray O’Connor as vice president of Technical Operations to oversee manufacturing scale-up. Mr. O’Connor is based in Dublin, Ireland, where the company is also recruiting other key manufacturing roles in product quality and process development.
 
Mr. O’Connor previously held roles as head of manufacturing for Jazz Pharmaceuticals, general manager at animal health company Norbrook Laboratories, and a series of roles with Pfizer (Wyeth Biopharma), Baxter Biopharma, and Schering-Plough.