Nanotherapeutics opts for GE’s modular manufacturing platform

Nanotherapeutics announced it had selected GE Healthcare’s Flexfactory platform earlier this week, explaining that it selected the system after a “competitive tender,” financial details of which were not disclosed.

The tech – which will be used to produce biomedical countermeasures for the US Government when the Advanced Development and Manufacturing (NANO-ADM) Alachua facility is operational in 2015 – consists of single-use manufacturing models that can be connected in a variety of configurations.

GE gained the Flexfactory system when it acquired Xcellerex in 2012​. Since then the system has been adopted by a number of biopharmaceutical manufacturers with China based JHL Biotech​ being the most recent firm to purchase the technology.

Like the JHL deal, the agreement with Nanotherapeutics will also see GE Healthcare provide training and support services for process development.

Countermeasures​

Nanotherapeutics' plant was commissioned after the firm was contracted to make by the US Department of Defense (DoD) last year.

At the time the firm said: "The NANO-ADM Center will integrate new biomanufacturing technologies with existing capabilities,enabling the development of both small molecule and biologic products.​

"The goal of ​the contract is to enable faster and more effective development of medical countermeasures designed to ​protect and treat military populations against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks and ​outbreaks of naturally occurring, emerging and genetically engineered infectious diseases.​

The centre will include space for vector development, quality control, a development pilot plant, manufacturing core, warehouse, as well as office/administration and utilities.

The new plant - which is costing $122m to build according to Area Development Online​ - will be operational in mid-2015 and will provide around 200,000 sqft of development and manufacturing space.