Biopharmaceutical contract manufacturer expands Edmonton facility

Edmonton, AB June 20, 2003 KS Avicenna has launched a newly expanded cGMP contract biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Canada to service both North American and European clients. The facility complies with both US and EU biopharmaceutical regulations and already manufactures an oncology product, TransMID, shortly to enter Phase III trials for inoperable malignant brain tumours, on behalf of its UK parent company, KS Biomedix Holdings plc (LSE: KSB).

KSA provides fermentation-based manufacturing of biologics, and can undertake most aspects of downstream processing and purification. KSA will initially focus on process optimisation and provision of small-scale batches of material suitable for clinical trials, an area in which there is a severe shortage of biopharmaceutical manufacturing capacity. KSA will undertake fee-for-service contract manufacturing and consider joint venture and product development opportunities.

In recent months, KSA says it has built a skilled management team who have extensive experience in the North American pharmaceutical industry and in the contract manufacturing sector.

“Having invested in the company’s infrastructure over the last year, we are now ready to provide a quality service to our customers," says David Cox, KSA chief executive officer. “Our aim is to be the supplier of choice for biologics companies with small-scale manufacturing needs, with a commitment to outstanding value, speed of response and flexibility.”