Humanigen, Cenexi initiate partnership in France

Health
Lenzilumab
Lenzilumab is a first-in class antibody that binds to and neutralizes granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. | Humanigen, Inc. Twitter

A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company has partnered with a major French Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization on master a supply agreement.

Humanigen, Inc., and France-based, Cenexi, announced their collaborative effort, which will provide aseptic fill and finish services for lenzilumab over five years, in a Feb. 9 press release.

“The goal of the collaboration with Cenexi is to further our efforts to establish a supply of lenzilumab made in Europe,” said Cameron Durrant, Humanigen CEO, in the release. “Cenexi is an ideal partner for sterile filling and with their strong base of resources and aggressive growth plan, we may expand our collaboration beyond the typical customer/vendor relationship. We may work with Cenexi to become our preferred partner for multiple services and to establish a stable and secure supply chain for lenzilumab in France and Europe longer-term.”

The deal calls for Humanigen to facilitate Cenexi’s production of drug product processes using the company’s Herouville-Saint-Clair facility in Normandy, France, according to the release.

“Cenexi desires a leadership position in France to assist in establishing a strong supply chain for COVID-19 and for future pandemics,” said Christophe Durand, Cenexi CEO, in the release. “Since 2004, Cenexi has been at the forefront of bringing critical medicines to patients and we continue to build on our strong reputation for value, high quality, flexibility and timeliness.”

The partnership will gather funding from AD Normandie, the regional authority, and the French government, the release stated. Cenexi also plans to assist Humanigen in its effort to secure an advanced purchase agreement for lenzilumab.