Lion Biotechnologies Announces Agreement With WuXi AppTec to Increase TIL Manufacturing Capacity
November 09 2015 - 8:00AM
Lion Biotechnologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:LBIO), a biotechnology company
that is developing novel cancer immunotherapies based on
tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), today announced that it has
entered into a two-year agreement with WuXi AppTec, Inc. ("WuXi
AppTec") to provide additional TIL manufacturing capacity. The
additional manufacturing capability is expected to become available
within the first six months of 2016 at WuXi AppTec's facility in
Philadelphia.
"We are pleased to be expanding our cGMP manufacturing capacity
with this new relationship with WuXi AppTec," said Elma Hawkins,
Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Lion
Biotechnologies. "In conjunction with the capacity we already have
available, this relationship with Wuxi AppTec will provide us
greater flexibility in support of our development plans for 2016
and into the future."
"We look forward to working with Lion on this exciting approach
to immuno-oncology therapy," said Felix Hsu, Senior Vice President,
U.S. Operations for WuXi AppTec. "We believe that our fully
integrated services and technology platform will be of great
benefit to Lion, and we're delighted to help support their
development efforts in this exciting field."
About Lion Biotechnologies
Lion Biotechnologies, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology
company focused on the development of cancer immunotherapy products
for the treatment of various cancers. The company's lead product
candidate is an adoptive cell therapy using tumor-infiltrating
lymphocytes (TIL) for the treatment of patients with refractory
metastatic melanoma, and is based on a clinical Cooperative
Research and Development Agreement with the National Cancer
Institute. TIL therapy is also being evaluated in
physician-sponsored clinical trials at MD Anderson Cancer Center
and Moffitt Cancer Center. For more information, please visit
http://www.lionbio.com.
About WuXi AppTec
WuXi PharmaTech (NYSE:WX) is a leading open-access R&D
capability and technology platform company serving the
pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries, with
operations in China and the United States. As a research-driven and
customer-focused company, WuXi PharmaTech provides pharmaceutical,
biotechnology and medical device companies with a broad and
integrated portfolio of laboratory and manufacturing services
throughout the drug and medical device R&D process. WuXi is
also building a platform to provide clinical diagnostic services
directly to physicians and their patients globally. WuXi
PharmaTech's services are designed to help its global partners in
shortening the cycle and lowering the cost of drug and medical
device R&D. The operating subsidiaries of WuXi PharmaTech are
known as WuXi AppTec.
Forward-Looking Statements for Lion
Biotechnologies
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements
that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties described
in the Company's most recently filed quarterly report on Form 10-Q
and annual report on Form 10-K. Except as permitted by law, the
Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
CONTACT: Investor Relations
The Trout Group
Elizabeth Broder
646-378-2945
ebroder@troutgroup.com