iBio Inks 3D Bioprinting Agreement
NEW YORK, Aug. 19, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- iBio, Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN:IBIO) today announced that it has entered into a Master Services Agreement (“MSA”) with Lung Biotechnology PBC, a subsidiary of United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ:UTHR), to produce recombinant human collagen (“rhCollagen”)-based bioink for 3D bioprinted organ transplants. iBio will collaborate with Lung Biotechnology PBC to scale-up production of rhCollagen in tobacco plants using iBio’s FastPharming™ System.
Under the MSA, the initial work to be performed by iBio involves the development of a scalable purification process for rhCollagen tailored to the biofabrication of lung scaffolds that United Therapeutics licensed from CollPlant Biotechnologies Inc. (NASDAQ:CLGN), as well as cGMP supply of the material for clinical trials. Anticipating the need for commercial quantities of rhCollagen-based bioinks, iBio envisions additional projects focused upon process optimization and capacity expansion, the latter of which will employ iBio’s Factory Solutions capabilities.
“We’re pleased to have been selected by United Therapeutics to help in the mission to fundamentally change access to vital organ transplants for patients,” said Tom Isett, a member of iBio’s Board of Directors. “The FastPharming System is ideally suited to the production of bioinks, maturogens, and other biologics for use in 3D bioprinting, so iBio will remain committed to delivering its safety, quality, performance and cost advantages to pioneers like United Therapeutics in the transformational, cutting-edge biofabrication industry.”
Robert B. Kay, iBio’s Chairman and CEO commented that, “Recent scientific breakthroughs in the emerging field of 3D bioprinting have captured headlines worldwide. The decision by United Therapeutics to work with iBio for the production of rhCollagen bioinks in our FastPharming System provides yet another opportunity to demonstrate the strength of our platform, which has already been proven in the manufacture of monoclonal antibodies, growth factors, fusion proteins, virus-like particles, and other biologics. We’re looking forward to helping United Therapeutics to successfully address the critical shortage of transplantable lungs and other organs.”
About iBio, Inc.
iBio is a global leader in plant-based biopharmaceutical contract development and cGMP manufacturing services. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, iBio CDMO LLC, uses the FastPharming™ System – which combines plant protein expression, automated hydroponics, and glycan engineering technologies – to rapidly deliver gram quantities of high-quality biologics for research or further manufacturing uses from its 120,000 square foot facility in Bryan, Texas. In addition to contract manufacturing, iBio also offers process development, bioanalytical, and fill-finish services, along with Factory Solutions for the design and build of facilities for plant-made monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, bioinks and more. iBio also uses its advanced manufacturing capabilities in the development of its own therapeutic pipeline, including its lead asset, CFB-03 for the treatment of fibrotic diseases. For more information, visit www.ibioinc.com.
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Contact:
Stephen Kilmer
Investor Relations
(646) 274-3580
skilmer@ibioinc.com
Released August 19, 2019