Univercells Technologies, a provider of novel biomanufacturing technologies for flexible and scalable viral vector production, has formed a worldwide strategic partnership with VectorBuilder, a global leader in vector design, optimization and manufacturing.

Univercells Technologies will work with VectorBuilder’s manufacturing center in Guangzhou, China to develop and optimize platform processes using best-in-class technologies for the production of custom viral vectors for cell and gene therapies as well as vaccine applications.

Demand for viral vectors, especially GMP-grade vectors, has significantly increased amidst the pandemic. Yet traditional manufacturing technologies lack the cost-effectiveness and scalability to accommodate this growing demand. With this partnership, both companies aim at combining capabilities, services, and existing technologies to develop a portfolio of optimized viral vector manufacturing protocols maximizing customers’ performance and commercialization success.

“We are extremely pleased to partner with Univercells Technologies to co-develop optimized, scalable and customizable solutions for fast and affordable production of viral vectors. This partnership is an important step in VectorBuilder’s ambition to become a global leader in high performance commercial-scale biomanufacturing”, says Dr. Jason Ye, Vice President of Biomanufacturing of VectorBuilder.

“We are very excited to partner with VectorBuilder, a global pioneer in custom viral vector manufacturing,” stated Mathias Garny, CEO of Univercells Technologies.

Both the scale-X bioreactor portfolio and the NevoLine Upstream platform offer high-performing production capacities while drastically reducing footprint and costs. The scale-X hydro (2.4 m2) and carbo (10 and 30 m2) bioreactors are a great asset for accelerating process development and supporting clinical validation. Complemented by the NevoLine™ Upstream platform with integrated scale-X nitro (200 and 600 m2) bioreactor the comprehensive technology range offered by Univercells Technologies enables a seamless transition to commercial manufacture.

The scale-X hydro and carbo systems and the NevoLine Upstream platform are employed for process optimization in VectorBuilder's state-of-the-art GMP Process Development facility in Guangzhou, China for intensified and continuous vector manufacturing at commercial scale.