Horizon Discovery Group plc (LSE: HZD), the world leader in the application of gene editing technologies,today announces the establishment of new partnerships with both the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) and the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) to support biologic therapeutic manufacturing in the UK, Ireland and beyond.

Biological therapeutics represented seven of the top ten best selling drugs of 2015, and they feature extensively in developmental pipelines.  Access to bioproduction cell lines for their manufacture can be cost prohibitive, and is often restricted in ways that prevent their further optimisation by customers. This stifles innovation and can impede the launch of biological therapeutics due to the challenge of generating bioproduction cell lines that meet the needs of commercial release.

Horizon is using its expertise in genome engineering to improve biological therapeutics manufacturing. As well as developing a tool box of cell lines for the manufacture of a range of current and next generation biological therapeutics, Horizon aims to encourage innovation in other organisations by allowing access to its state of the art bioproduction cell line platform (CHO SOURCE) under flexible licensing terms that include allowing the further modification of cells.

This agreement allows any organisation, through CPI or NIBRT, to access Horizon’s state of the art biomanufacturing cell lines for research purposes, benefiting the global bioprocessing community by allowing access to cutting edge bioproduction cell lines at an early stage of drug or technology development. This initiative reinforces Horizon’s reputation as a leader and innovator, well positioned to support new biomanufacturing programmes whether in the UK or globally.

Upon completion of these studies, it is anticipated that many organisations will continue to use Horizon’s cell lines, thereby establishing a long-term revenue stream for these high value products as they transition to use for commercial manufacture.

Darrin Disley, CEO, Horizon Discovery, commented: “Horizon is committed to driving innovation in bioprocessing.  We value the opportunity to work with key industry players including CPI and NIBRT, to ensure that we are delivering the best solutions for our customers and ultimately for patients.”

Fergal O’Brien, Director of Biologics, CPI said: “By providing their cell line for our research use, Horizon, together with the expertise of CPI, will create a powerhouse platform to develop bioprocessing solutions.  We’re excited to see the impact that this programme will have.”

Killian O’Driscoll, Director of Projects, NIBRT said: “NIBRT are delighted to interact with Horizon, to combine their excellence and know-how in cell line development with NIBRT’s cutting edge research, which together will provide solutions of real impact for the advancement and improvement of biopharmaceutical manufacturing.”

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