iBio, Inc. has engaged Texas-based Caliber Biotherapeutics LLC to produce materials for clinical development of the first of iBio’s proprietary anti-fibrosis products.
iBio is based in Newark and develops plant-based technologies for proteins that could be used in vaccines and other drugs. Fibrosis refers to conditions where heart and other muscles turn into fiber.
Privately held Caliber’s production will be used for toxicology studies and initial human clinical trials of IBIO-CFB03. Caliber operates the largest plant-based protein production site.
iBio is the exclusive worldwide licensee of the patents developed by Dr. Carol Feghali-Bostwick for therapies against fibrotic diseases.
Feghali-Bostwick, is collaborating with iBio for the development of various applications of her invention to address systemic sclerosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and scleroderma. She is the Kitty Trask Holt Endowed Chair and Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina.
“Our engagement of Caliber, which has pilot and full-scale production capabilities, enables us to satisfy all of our production needs for human clinical trials of IBIO-CFB03,” said Robert Erwin, iBio’s President.
Caliber, located in College Station, Texas, operates the world’s largest plant-made pharmaceutical protein manufacturing facility. Caliber’s facilities and operations have been supported by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institution of Texas (CPRIT), U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and several Texas based life sciences investors. Caliber is a licensee of iBioLaunch technology for research purposes and for commercial development of other product candidates.
iBio also granted Caliber a license to iBioLaunch technology for the production of antibodies that target the Ebola virus, and is currently engaged in a collaboration with Caliber and Novici for the optimization of undisclosed biotherapeutics.
Caliber and iBio were part of spectulation last year over production of vaccine for Ebola, with iBio stock rocketing past $3 a share amid fears of outbreaks in the US.
