Celltrion gets into outsourcing with Bio CDMO launch

Incheon, Korea-headquartered Celltrion aims to pursue “open innovation for development of new drugs”​ the company yesterday announced at the 2018 BIO International Convention.

"We will operate CDMO business in our current facility in South Korea,"​ a company spokesperson told us. "We can not disclose any specific information or details at this early stage."​

According to the press release, the new outsourcing business will provide biologic cell line development and production process services, as well as non-clinical material, clinical material, and commercialized material manufacturing.

“Through various ‘open innovation strategy,’ including this new CDMO business, Celltrion will expand its new drug pipeline portfolio and take a closer step in becoming a global biopharmaceutical corporation,”​ a spokesperson said in the release.

Per the release, Celltrion said it will support “partnered firms by sharing Celltrion’s accumulated biologics development expertise, and may, through consultation and discussion, provide development cost or license in the molecule(s).”​

The business will initially focus on therapeutic areas that align with Celltrion’s portfolio, including autoimmune diseases, breast cancer, lymphoma, and cardiovascular diseases. It also is planning to “gradually expand its therapeutic areas of interest,”​ according to the company.