Abzena Highlights Cutting-Edge Drug Development at CPHI Milan Event
Abzena is dedicated to providing extensive, integrated solutions aimed at optimizing drug development paths and reducing risks for its clients, ultimately speeding up timelines and enhancing production processes. After the event, OSP caught up with them to discuss how things unfolded.
What new products or innovations did your company showcase at CPHI Milan 2024 this year?
During CPHI Milan 2024, Abzena presented its upgraded cell line development platform, AbZelectPRO, alongside the latest advances in comprehensive drug development and manufacturing for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). The AbZelectPRO platform allows clients to progress from DNA to research cell bank (RCB) in just 10 weeks, achieving production levels of up to 8g/L from stable clones. This highly productive and stable platform utilizes an optimized expression cassette that enhances protein expression by employing novel genetic elements, thereby increasing production levels for various protein targets, including challenging proteins like bi-specifics and fusion proteins.
Furthermore, Abzena highlighted its capabilities in high-potency handling for the development and cGMP manufacturing of ADCs, as well as its innovative site-specific linker technology, ThioBridge™. With linker-payload design, bioconjugation, intricate chemistry, and GMP manufacturing managed under one roof, we streamline and de-risk the development of clients’ ADC projects from discovery to commercial launch.
What did you achieve at CPHI this year?
At CPHI Milan, Abzena aimed to connect with industry leaders and innovators to foster collaborations pushing biopharmaceutical drug development forward. We showcased how our fully integrated approach provides value to customer initiatives by simplifying intricate development processes and reducing risks. Moreover, we gleaned insights into emerging industry trends and client needs, informing our ongoing efforts to enhance our services.
How does your company stay ahead of industry trends and developments in the pharmaceutical sector?
Abzena remains proactive regarding industry trends by engaging consistently with the pharmaceutical community and adapting to the shifting landscape. We attend significant industry conferences to connect with thought leaders and innovators, allowing us to learn about emerging technologies and market dynamics. Our teams are vigilant about regulatory developments and global factors that influence supply chains, capacity, costs, and investments within the industry.
We strategically invest in talent development and promote a culture of innovation throughout our organization. Encouraging collaboration among research, development, and manufacturing teams ensures the rapid integration of new concepts and technologies into our processes. This forward-thinking approach enables us to anticipate shifts in the industry and make timely adjustments to our strategies, providing clients with the most relevant and effective solutions.
What sets your company apart from competitors in the pharmaceutical industry, and what value do you offer to your customers?
Abzena stands out through our fully integrated capabilities that encompass early research and development, clinical, and commercial manufacturing for complex biologics and ADCs. We focus on establishing robust partnerships, emphasizing transparency and collaboration to achieve favorable results. Our proficiency in managing complex projects effectively translates into significant value through reduced risk and accelerated time to market.
Our suite of bioassays, including the EpiScreen 2.0 immunogenicity platform, enables us to appraise the potency, efficacy, and safety of our clients’ products, facilitating informed decision-making early in their development journey.
By consolidating linker-payload design, development, and ADC manufacturing within a single organization, we minimize supply chain complexities and streamline development pathways, thereby reducing risks. Our integrated research and manufacturing teams collaborate efficiently, employing cutting-edge technologies—such as our proprietary ThioBridge platform—to hasten timelines, lower costs, and enhance reliability throughout the research to production continuum.
Can you discuss any plans for expansion or market growth in the pipeline?
Our company is actively seeking opportunities to broaden our global reach and enhance service offerings. We are directing investments towards expanding our manufacturing capacity to accommodate commercial scale initiatives while incorporating new technologies to adapt to escalating demands within the pharmaceutical industry.
What challenges are you currently facing in the pharmaceutical market, and how is your organization addressing them?
The pharmaceutical sector is witnessing a tightening of investments, especially in early-stage biotech funding. Though funding persists, companies are increasingly prudent regarding resource allocation. Abzena is confronting this challenge by collaborating closely with clients to showcase the value and efficiency of our services. We cultivate trust through cooperative relationships, offering adaptable solutions that enable clients to optimize their investments. By understanding their distinct needs and constraints, we tailor our strategies to yield meaningful outcomes, even amid a competitive funding landscape.