ATLAS-Based iBio Hosts Meetings with CC-Pharming

(BRYAN, Texas) – iBio, the world’s premier plant-based manufacturer of biotherapeutics, recently hosted a four-day design and strategic planning meeting with CC-Pharming Ltd., of Beijing, China at its development and manufacturing facility in ATLAS.

The meeting, which occurred Oct. 2-6 initiated the first stage of the companies’ plan to closely collaborate. The partnership will focus on product, process and facility design for a monoclonal therapeutic antibody product: a plant-derived, bio-better rituximab.

The therapeutic antibody is the first product focus of a Master Joint Development Agreement executed in July between iBio and CC-Pharming. iBio will provide process development and manufacturing services at its ATLAS facility for initial product development, and will assist CC-Pharming in facility design and optimization for eventual manufacturing in China. CC-Pharming will manage all operations in China, with iBio participating through joint ownership of the China business and ongoing collaboration.

“We are excited to begin the operational aspects of our collaboration with CC-Pharming,” says Robert Kay, iBio’s Chairman and CEO. “We have a shared vision to bring significant product benefits of iBio’s technology and capabilities, combined with those of CC-Pharming, to the people of China and to expand our work with CC-Pharming to achieve solid commercial success for both companies.”

Rituximab was first approved by the U.S. FDA in 1997 for treatment of certain B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Since that time, its clinical uses have expanded to encompass treatment of a range of autoimmune diseases including certain types of rheumatoid arthritis. Rituximab has been placed on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, but despite the development and approval of biosimilar versions, it is still too expensive for many patients who could benefit from its use. iBio and CC-Pharming are jointly pursuing the medical and business goal of introducing a plant-made antibody superior to rituximab in performance and more affordable than rituximab in price.

“Our company is committed to developing innovative and affordable plant-derived biologics,” says Ms. Yujiao Chen, CC-Pharming’s Vice President for International Business and Intellectual Property. “iBio’s superior Technology will help CC-Pharming rapidly expand its product pipelines to meet the demand of the market in China.”

CC-Pharming and iBio expect to jointly select additional products for development and joint exclusive sales in China using iBio’s proprietary plant-based approach. As demonstrated by the original design, development and validation of iBio’s CDMO facility in ATLAS, iBio’s technology and know-how enables large-scale manufacturing facility development with much lower capital expenditure and much shorter time to validation than traditional animal cell methods. CC-Pharming will be the first company in China to adopt this transient expression platform approach to manufacturing biopharmaceuticals.

iBio is one several leading companies to have a facility within ATLAS – other companies include Viasat, Nutrabolt and FujiFilm Diosynth Biotechnologies. Situated just a short walk from these offices, Lake Walk continues to shine as Bryan/College Station’s premier destination to engage the senses. Ongoing are Lake Walk Town Center’s signature events including The Local, a neighborhood artisan market, and weekly health and wellness activities. The town center also features a pavilion and plaza, a waterfront park on Lake ATLAS and The Lookout observation deck.

For more information, visit ATLAS at: www.atlastx.com, or follow the corporate campus on social media: Facebook and Twitter.

About ATLAS

An extension of and adjacent to the acclaimed Traditions Club and Community, ATLAS is best in class for manufacturing and technological companies desiring a wellness environment. Companies located within ATLAS include FujiFilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, iBio, Nutrabolt and Viasat. ATLAS also offers a thriving planned community chock-full of lifestyle, employment and outdoor opportunities, including Lake Walk Town Center.

Centrally located within The Texas A&M Biocorridor, ATLAS is adjacent to the university’s Health Science Center and just two miles from Easterwood Airport and the main campus. The College of Veterinary Medicine, the $32 million Hildebrand Equine Complex, the Texas A&M University System RELLIS Campus, Mays Business School, Research Park, National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing and the Texas Institute of Preclinical Studies are all close by.