Rentschler Biopharma is establishing a Center of Excellence for cell and gene therapy, which will be located in Stevenage, U.K. With the newly formed U.K. subsidiary, Rentschler ATMP, the CDMO will establish development and manufacturing capability in Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), according to Frank Mathias, PhD, CEO of Rentschler Biopharma.

The company’s U.K. site is being set up at an already existing facility run by the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult through a collaborative model. Over the next five years, Rentschler Biopharma plans to make a significant investment at the site to develop manufacturing operations of viral vectors for clinical supply and expects to be ready for cGMP manufacturing by the first half of 2022.

“With more than 1,000 cell and gene therapies currently in clinical development, the demand for manufacturing capabilities and support is ever increasing. Leveraging our specific expertise in process development and manufacturing for challenging molecules with highest quality and within demanding timelines, we are ideally suited to implement this knowledge in the field of viral vector production for new modalities,” said Mathias. “Our well-planned move into this growing area of biopharmaceuticals fits well with our strategic plans to expand internationally—ensuring proximity to our clients and important biopharma hubs.”