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NIIMBL Launches Viral Vector Program to Improve Access to AAV Gene Therapy

Biomanufacturing, Biopharmaceutical

The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) officially launches the Viral Vectors NIIMBL-led Program focused on developing and making broadly available robust, economically viable, shared manufacturing process and analytical platforms for Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) gene therapy vectors. NIIMBL has committed to this effort with an ultimate vision to provide access to high quality viral vectors capable of serving the full spectrum of patient need, from prevalent indications to ultra-rare diseases, without cost or speed limitations.

“There are thousands of rare diseases, many of which could be candidates for AAV-based gene therapy. Collectively advancing and converging around core manufacturing and analytical technologies so we can avoid redundant work and consistently achieve better outcomes is fundamental to bringing more therapies to more patients faster,” said Guangping Gao, Ph.D., member of the NIIMBL-led Viral Vector Program Steering Committee and gene therapy pioneer from the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School.

As a consortium connecting over 200 industry, academia, government, and non-profit members in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing community, the NIIMBL ecosystem allows new technologies to advance faster. Viral Vectors is one of several NIIMBL-led programs carefully selected after extensive discussion and road mapping with subject matter experts around the world.