A-Bio signs production deal for Artisan's DIC drug

USA-based Artisan Pharma and Singapore's A-Bio Pharma have finalized a strategic and mutually-exclusive manufacturing relationship on the process development, scale-up and manufacture of ART-123, a recombinant protein for the treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation in sepsis.

As part of the deal, A-Bio will undertake the various development and validation activities necessary to ensure further clinical development and commercial supply of ART-123 for Artisan, and, in return, Artisan will enter into a preferential and long-term supply agreement with A-Bio. Specific terms of the relationship were not disclosed.

Commenting on the accord, Jeffrey Wager, chief executive of Artisan, said: "this agreement is important to us for two reasons. First, we are committed to ensuring safe and consistent supply of ART-123 throughout our territory. The relationship with A-Bio accomplishes this objective to a very high standard. Secondly, this alliance enables us to focus more of our financial and human resources on ART-123 clinical development through strategic outsourcing of ART-123 manufacturing."