MaxiVAX and Minaris strike immunotherapy manufacturing deal

MaxiVAX, a Swiss clinical-stage biotech company developing novel anti-cancer vaccines, and Minaris Regenerative Medicine, a contract development and manufacturing service provider (CDMO) for the cell and gene therapy industry, have entered into a manufacturing agreement for MVX-ONCO-2, a cell-based immunotherapy for the treatment of cancers such as chordoma, head and neck, and other solid tumours.

MVX-ONCO-2 consists of two components: biocompatible capsules, loaded with a genetically modified cell-line that secretes a strong immune-booster GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage stimulating factor); and irradiated autologous patients’ tumour cells, isolated from patients which serve as tumour antigens.

To induce an efficient anti-tumour response against the patients’ own tumour cells, the encapsulated GM-CSF secreting cells are implanted subcutaneously at the site of tumor-cell vaccination.

Minaris will be responsible for the GMP manufacturing, freezing and shipping of the MVX-ONCO-2 capsules, which will be delivered to clinical sites. The autologous patients’ tumour cells will be processed at the clinical sites.

The scope of the manufacturing agreement includes process development for scale-up and technology transfer with the goal of supplying Phase II and III clinical studies initially in the EU and eventually in the US. Services will be performed at Minaris’ European site in Ottobrunn near Munich, Germany.