ABL to perform process development, cGMP manufacturing of scuPA

ABL is the biologics production facility for the five-year Science Moving TowArds Research Translation and Therapy (SMARTT) program led by Steven Idell of The University of Texas Health Science Center.

ABL will develop the production cell line and manufacturing process followed by scale-up and manufacture of toxicology and cGMP clinical materials.

The produced materials will be used to support an IND, and in clinical trial testing.

ABL president and chief executive officer Thomas VanCott said, "This is an exciting product with the potential to prevent numerous surgeries with associated serious morbidity."

SMARTT consists of the biologics production facility at ABL, a production facility for non-biologics and small molecules, a pharmacology/toxicology center, and a coordinating center.

The recombinant scuPA, is an enzyme therapy candidate for patients with pleural loculation or scarring surrounding the lung. scuPA reverses a defect in clot clearance that characterizes pleural loculation.