ViroCell released in the UK to make viral vectors

ViroCell will supply viral vectors and genetically modified cells to academic and corporate customers for translational cell and gene therapy entering clinical trials.

ViroCell Biologics, the UK’s first clinical trial-focused viral vector manufacturer, announced its official launch on April 28, 2021.

ViroCell will aim to become a supplier for viral vectors and genetically modified cells, academic and corporate customers, translation cells entering clinical trials, and gene therapy, the company said in a press release. Currently, the company is negotiating with educational hospitals and universities to provide more clean room facilities for viral vector production in the UK.

The contract development and manufacturing organization was first founded in 2020 by the Truell Conservation Foundation and biotech entrepreneur John W. Hadden II, who will serve as CEO. Dr. Farzin Farzaneh, Professor of Molecular Medicine at Kings College London, will serve as Chief Science Officer.

Edmund Truell, chairman of the Truell Conservation Foundation, has been working with great interest in the viral vector supply-demand imbalance in his press release. We believe that the lack of highly specialized design and manufacturing capabilities and the UK’s non-commercial attitude to new vector innovations represent clear barriers to gene therapy innovation. Farzanehs’ leadership in developing and manufacturing viral vectors is based on excellent genetics research in the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Kings College London, and other world-class academic research centers and the strong pharmaceutical sector worldwide. We are excited to capitalize and invest in ViroCell to accelerate the new treatments ViroCell customers are developing by helping ViroCell customers enter clinical trials faster and help millions of patients.