- US-based biotech Cureline has launched Memel Biotech, a new CDMO, has launched operations in Klaipeda, Lithuania, with an investment of $3.5 million USD.
- The 850 square-meter facility is expected to break ground in the first half of 2024.
Cureline have announced the launch of Memel Biotech, a new contract development manufacturing organisation (CDMO), to be based in Klaipeda, Lithuania. The company, which was first announced in 2023, has made an investment of $3.5 million and will offer services for all three classes of advanced therapies – cell, gene, and tissue engineered.
“Our new biomanufacturing facility will allow patients to access therapeutics in the region of central-east Europe, which currently has limited access to cell and gene therapy medicinal products,” said Agnė Vaitkevičienė, CEO of Memel Biotech. The firm seeks to serve the industry through technology transfer, development, manufacturing and regulatory challenges while moving advanced therapies to clinical trials.
The company’s partners are small and medium enterprises (SMEs) focusing on CGTs, tissue engineering (such as 3D tissue printing) and others (such as exosomes). Addressing Lithuania as “a gateway to the European biopharmaceutical market,” the CEO added, “to date, most access to advanced therapies is concentrated in western Europe. This limits patients’ accessibility even to participate in clinical trials.”
Cureline Group President Olga Potapova adds: “Memel is a natural extension of the Group’s portfolio. We have closely followed the development of the advanced therapies sector over the last decade in particular. Rather than try to repurpose any existing CDMO we believe the time is right to create a truly specialized partner who can take an active role in helping customers achieve their missions to bring these exciting new treatments to patients. Lithuania with its highly skilled workforce, supportive environment, stability and EU membership is also an ideal location.”
“Lithuania’s highly skilled workforce, supportive environment, stability, and EU membership made it an ideal location for the new venture. Memel’s Baltic seaport location also provides an entry point to Europe for US and other international companies.” The 850 square-meter facility is expected to break ground in the first half of 2024.
