Biovest International Inc., a subsidiary of Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. and the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) have entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to further develop Biovest’s hollow fiber perfusion bioreactors as a flexible and modular manufacturing platform for the rapid, robust and cost-effective production of medical countermeasures to emerging and genetically engineered infectious diseases.

This CRADA utilizes Biovest’s hollow fiber technology for production of vaccines, virus-like particles (VLPs) and antibodies for treatment and prevention of filovirus diseases including those caused by Ebola and Marburg viruses.

According to Biovest’s consulting medical advisor, J David Gangemi, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Clemson University, “Biovest’s collaboration with USAMRIID is part of a large US government priority investment to become fully prepared for the swift and efficient delivery of medical countermeasures to highly infectious agents including avian and swine influenza, and other emerging diseases. Expanding on the positive influenza virus data generated under Biovest’s CRADA with the Naval Health Research Centre, our collaboration with Army’s infectious disease research team aims to demonstrate the utility and agility of Biovest’s hollow fiber bioreactors to propagate infectious virus for vaccine production and to validate the production of VLPs and virus neutralizing antibodies.”

Biovest’s patented hollow fiber bioreactor systems are compact, scalable and economical for large-scale virus and antibody production. In contrast to other systems, Biovest’s technology provides multiple benefits including: controlled culture conditions with high cell density attained; space efficiency and high-yield production; and selective dilution/removal of inhibitory byproducts.

“Our instrumentation is uniquely designed for the commercial manufacture of personalized medicines and vaccines. This vast potential is now being evaluated in three very important collaborations with the Naval Health Research Center, Max Planck Institute and USAMRIID,” stated, Mark Hirschel, PhD, chief science officer, Biovest. “And we are continuing to pursue other strategic partnerships within the US Department of Defense and with other leading research institutions worldwide to establish Biovest’s biomanufacturing technology as an optimal cell culture platform for the production of many kinds of cell-based biologic therapies.”

AutovaxID is an automated, self-contained, scalable system that employs a single-use, hollow-fiber bioreactor for cell expansion. Since it is functionally closed, computer-controlled and fully-automated, operation of the AutovaxID requires limited supervision and minimal manpower compared to other systems. The AutovaxID is a flexible system, uniquely designed to address a variety of biotechnology and pharmaceutical applications.

USAMRIID’s mission is to protect the warfighter from biological threats and to be prepared to investigate disease outbreaks or threats to public health. Research conducted at USAMRIID leads to medical solutions — vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and information — that benefit both military personnel and civilians.

Biovest International, Inc. is an emerging leader in the field of active personalized immunotherapies.