AGC Biologics, a US-headquartered biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), has signed a service agreement with The Jikei University in Japan. Under the agreement, AGC Biologics will assume a technology transfer and feasibility study for a drug product focused on the treatment of Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) at the CDMO's centre of Cell and Gene Excellence in Milan.

In the feasibility study, scientists at the Milan site will focus on identifying proof of concept and viability for developing a prototype for an exosome-based treatment for IPF derived from bronchial epithelial cells. Current research at The Jikei University School of Medicine has revealed extracellular vesicles extracted from a bronchial epithelial cell can potentially play a vital role in IPF pathogenesis. If the feasibility study is successful, pre-clinical studies may commence in the coming year.

Exosomes have shown the promise to make cell and gene therapies more commercially viable for large populations because of their potential to provide a targeted approach to drug delivery. AGC Biologics' Milan location has 30 years of experience in the cell and gene field and expertise with complex advanced therapy projects. The core team has guided three products from development to commercial stages.