Viral vectors
Our capabilities include generation, production, purification and analysis of viral vector-based products manufactured on mammalian cell lines.
Viral vectors are very attractive for product development, as they hold the promise of providing a platform to manufacture diverse products. For instance, a malaria vaccine, AIDS vaccine, or tuberculosis vaccine could be developed by inserting immunostimulatory genes from the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, respectively, into a vector. However, for some vector systems, anti-vector immune responses must be taken into consideration; a viral vector product may elicit not only the intended immune response against the inserted target protein, but also an inadvertent response against the vector itself. This anti-vector immune response limits a repeat administration of the same viral vector product. For this reason, many viral vector products currently under development involve a combination of different viral vectors as part of a prime-boost vaccination strategy. For example, an adenoviral vector is used for priming, followed by the MVA used for a booster. These prime-boost regimens ensure long-term immunity and protection.
Viral vector track record
We have extensive experience in manufacturing a wide range of viral vectors including AAV, adenoviruses, lentiviruses, measles virus and VSV. We are proud to have manufactured viral vector-based gene therapy products as well as vaccine products for phase-I and phase-II clinical studies in both the EU and US markets. Our experience in the field, anchored in production, purification, and testing protocols, has resulted in a successful track record in delivering viral vector-based products. For example, in a collaboration with Prof. Frank Staal (Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands), we have delivered several lentiviral vector-based products for a candidate treatment for children suffering from Severed Combined Immuno-Deficiency (SCID). In addition, in collaboration with Prof. Andrew Baker (Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh), we have successfully developed and manufactured novel adenoviral vectors for development of therapies against cardiovascular diseases. And together with IAVI, we are currently developing a VSV vector-based vaccine against Lassa fever.
Prof. Frank Staal, Leiden University Medical Center: “I have greatly enjoyed working with Batavia Biosciences on the clinical manufacturing of lentiviral vectors. In particular, I appreciated their adherence to timelines and budget, their pro-active communication and problem-solving capabilities.”
Prof. Andrew Baker, University of Edinburgh: “The team at Batavia was excellent in both their communication, know-how and operational performance with regards to the development and manufacturing of adenoviral vectors.”
Mark Feinberg, M.D., Ph.D., IAVI President and CEO: “We’re proud to call Batavia Biosciences an IAVI collaborator since 2012 as both organizations share a common goal to develop vaccines that are affordable and accessible to address infectious disease globally. Batavia has been instrumental in the development of cell lines, process, and analytics to support IAVI’s manufacturing and development of HIV vaccine viral vectors, in particular for the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) platform for clinical testing. Building on this experience, IAVI and Batavia are extending this innovative collaboration to include use of the VSV platform for the development of vaccines for other emerging infectious diseases that disproportionately affect people living in poverty.”
