Manufacturing partner announced for rapid COVID-19 test
Life sciences business Avacta Group has appointed BBI Solutions, part of BBI Group, to manufacture the saliva-based rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test that is being developed with Cytiva.
BBI Solutions is a global developer and producer of raw materials and finished test products for the in-vitro diagnostics market, with manufacturing sites in five different countries, spanning four continents.
The agreement between Avacta and BBI comprises the accelerated development and validation of a scaled-up manufacturing process that has the potential to ramp up to a production capacity of millions of tests per month.
Avacta, Cytiva and BBI are in the process of the technology transfer of the prototype and related manufacturing procedures for the saliva-based rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test from Cytiva to BBI.
Wetherby-based Avacta aims to begin clinical validation of the test as soon as possible by using the first pilot batches generated as part of the technology transfer process for these studies.
Dr Alastair Smith, chief executive of Avacta Group, said: “I am delighted to be working with BBI to manufacture the rapid COVID-19 test.
“BBI has been excellent to work with to define a highly compressed product development timeline that will allow us to get the product to market as quickly as possible.
“We anticipate very high demand for the COVID-19 rapid test and will be working with our preferred manufacturing partners at BBI to satisfy that demand.
“We are actively continuing our discussions with other manufacturing partners to ensure we have access to additional manufacturing capacity to address the global need for SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing both now, and in the next few years.
“As we set out in the use of proceeds at the recent fund raising, we have now expanded our product development team with the appointment of an experienced in-vitro diagnostic product development manager.
“And we are expanding the protein production facilities in order to meet the expected demand for Affimer proteins for the COVID-19 tests and future diagnostic tests in the pipeline.”
Dr Mario Gualano, chief executive of BBI Group, said: “BBI are delighted to have been appointed to lead the manufacture of Avacta’s rapid coronavirus antigen test, and to be able to further extend our lateral flow expertise to addressing the global challenges presented by COVID-19.
“Our ability to respond rapidly to Avacta’s needs is testament to our team’s diagnostic expertise and the supporting manufacturing and quality systems we have implemented at our ISO13485 accredited facility.”
