Fifteen-year engagement continues with plans to expand capacity to meet Ferric Citrate demand.
CDMOs are becoming a strategic link in the development and commercialization of promising biopharmaceuticals. Recently, BioVectra highlighted the strategic nature of its long-term relationship with Keryx Biopharmaceuticals announcing it is expanding operations to manufacture more Ferric Citrate, the API found in Auryxia® tablets. Auryxia is a common therapy now approved for two complications associated with chronic kidney disease.
Noting more than 45 years in the business, BioVectra said it has been working with Keryx since 2003, manufacturing Ferric Citrate. Now that Auryxia has been approved for a second indication, both companies are responding to the projected increase in demand for the drug.
Oliver Technow, BioVectra’s President, highlighted how important the growing, ongoing relationship with Keryx is to BioVectra and Canada. “It is a shining example of the innovation, talent and determination we have cultivated in the Atlantic Canada region,” he noted, remarking his team takes great pride in serving the needs of global partners and the patients they treat. “We are very pleased to bring an agreement of this magnitude, creating highly skilled jobs, to Charlottetown, PEI. It is another terrific accomplishment for bioscience in Atlantic Canada.”
Assuring supply long term is a Keryx priority now that the FDA’s green-lighted another indication. “With the recent … approval of Auryxia for a second indication, it is critical that we have sufficient manufacturing capacity to support anticipated future prescription demand,” said Melissa Bradford-Klug, Keryx Biopharmaceuticals’ Chief Business Officer, noting the company’s key future role manufacturing Auryxia’s API. “We believe they will be a great partner as we continue to expand the supply chain for Auryxia,” she said.
According to BioVectra, the company intends to meet Keryx’s anticipated long-term supply needs by expanding production capacity at its Charlottetown, PEI, Canada headquarters. Vice President of Business Development, Heather Delage explained BioVectra has collaborated on Auryxia’s clinical phases, registration, and commercial launch “We look forward to continuing to be an important part of Keryx’s long-term strategic supply chain,” she noted.
