Akron Bio, a developer and manufacturer of critical building blocks used by biopharma to produce advanced therapies for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and cancers, has launched a new, state-of-the-art cGMP plasmid DNA manufacturing facility in Sarasota, FL.

Akron Bio’s Sarasota facility will address critical demands in the rapidly growing gene therapy and vaccine markets by providing plasmid DNA, an important ancillary material used in the manufacture of advanced therapies. The new site will support an increasing clinical development pipeline by relieving and securing industry supply.

“At Akron Bio, we are highly motivated by the lasting impact that cell and gene therapies, and vaccine treatments, have on patients’ lives,” said Robert Wedinger, CEO of Akron Bio. “This new facility will allow us to continue to drive the industry forward, while ensuring the highest quality and safety standards.”

Akron Bio selected Manatee County for its new facility location because of the rapidly emerging biomedical hub in the region as well as the support of local and state government. As part of its expansion, Akron Bio will double its Sarasota workforce to more than 100 by the end of 2022, with plans to expand in the future to meet the growing customer demand.

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, Akron Bio’s mission is to drive advanced therapy development through the manufacturing and commercialization of high-quality, well-documented ancillary materials. The new Sarasota facility will expand the innovation and biomanufacturing footprint in the area—resulting in the acceleration of safer and more consistent therapeutic breakthroughs.