Cha Biotech's US Subsidiary Signs Joint Research Agreement with Texas A&M University

Joint Research on Viral Vectors, Plasmid DNA, and More for Developing Cell Gene Therapy Agents

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] ChabioTech's U.S. subsidiary, Matica Biotechnology (hereinafter Matica Bio), announced on the 4th that it has signed a comprehensive joint research agreement with the Manufacturing Development Innovation Center at Texas A&M University.

Through this joint research agreement, Matica Bio will conduct collaborative research with the Manufacturing Development Innovation Center at Texas A&M University on viral vectors necessary for the development of cell and gene therapies, as well as plasmid DNA and proteins. The Manufacturing Development Innovation Center at Texas A&M University is an institution that develops and produces vaccines and therapeutics required during national emergencies such as epidemics. Texas A&M University ranks 4th in the United States in the field of biotechnology evaluation and is prominent in vaccine and therapeutic development.

In February, Matica Bio began construction of a cGMP facility on the Texas A&M University campus zone in College Station. The cGMP facility, scheduled for completion by the end of this year, will be equipped with a 500ℓ bioreactor and global-standard manufacturing equipment. Matica Bio plans to produce viral vectors such as lentiviral vectors and adeno-associated virus vectors used in next-generation anticancer agents and cell and gene therapies at the cGMP facility.

Matica Bio intends to accelerate the development of cell and gene therapies by combining the expertise of professionals recruited from global gene therapy companies with the production and R&D capabilities of the Manufacturing Development Innovation Center at Texas A&M University. Additionally, it plans to target the cell and gene therapy CDMO market in the U.S., Europe, and Asia by linking with the 65,127㎡ (approximately 20,000 pyeong) second Pangyo Techno Valley GMP facility, scheduled for completion in 2024.

So Byung-se, CEO of Matica Bio, stated, “Taking this agreement as an opportunity, we will accelerate the development of cell and gene therapies and expand cooperation with global cell and gene therapy development companies seeking to proceed with clinical trials.”