Nitto Avecia announces multiple oligonucleotide expansions

Avecia's Milford site is expected to be the largest cGMP oligonucleotide facility in the world.

Avecia is in advanced stages to build a new oligonucleotide drug substance manufacturing facility with additional capacity of more than 1.5 mol. Earlier this year, a new 300 mmol synthesizer was successfully taken into operation increasing the operational capabilities of its midscale asset. It is expected that in 2017 Avecia's Milford site will have nearly 3 mol oligonucleotide cGMP synthesis manufacturing capacity operational including aligned downstream assets making it the largest cGMP oligonucleotide facility in the world.

According to Avecia's president Detlef Rethage, the 300 mmol expansion in 2016 followed by the new >1.5 mol facility in 2017 will help clients to receive timely oligonucleotide drug substance to advance programs in clinical trials as planned. "Avecia takes pride that the experience and innovation found within Avecia allows us to bring the new manufacturing units online in a matter of months rather than years," said Rethage.

Analytical development laboratory and office personal now staff a new 6,500 sq ft facility in Marlboro, MA. The Marlboro facility was complemented by Nitto Avecia Pharma Services, a new company created as a result of Avecia's recent acquisition of Irvine Pharmaceutical Services (Irvine) and Avrio Biopharmaceuticals (Avrio). Nitto Avecia Pharma Services located in Irvine, CA significantly increased Avecia's analytical capabilities and support of drug product manufacturing. Rethage said, "Nitto Avecia Pharma Services is the perfect complement to our oligonucleotide drug substance services and a key step in our strategic growth plans. Avecia Group now offers manufacturing and development services on the East Coast, West Coast and in the Midwest at our Cincinnati facility."

As part of its planned growth, Avecia anticipates it will add many additional full-time jobs over the next three months. The new positions will specialize in microbiology, analytical chemistry, manufacturing, quality assurance and engineering.