Cellipont Bioservices, a cell therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), has unveiled plans for a 76,000 square foot commercial-ready manufacturing facility for cell therapies and gene-modified cell therapies. Located in The Woodlands, TX, the facility will include state-of-the-art manufacturing, process development, assay development and testing capabilities redundant with Cellipont’s 26,000 square foot San Diego location. The new facility will be commissioned in phases, with the first phase scheduled to begin operation in the first half of 2023.

“Cellipont is excited to move forward with this next stage of our company’s development as a best-in-class cell therapy CDMO,” said Deborah Wild, CEO, Cellipont Bioservices. “As our client programs advance through the clinic and toward commercialization, we are working diligently to offer them state-of-the-art facilities and capabilities. This site near Houston is an ideal location to serve clients and patients across all of North America, with two major airports and a strong local workforce.”

Wild added, “Over the first half of this year, Cellipont has assembled a leadership team widely-recognized in the industry with extensive commercial experience. We are pleased to partner with established industry leaders on this expansion project, including building owner Vitrian, cell therapy design/build/qualification specialist cGMP now and general contractor, LEAD Construction.”

Mike O’Mara, chief operating officer, Cellipont, said, “With this new expansion, we essentially have a blank canvas to create the ideal cell therapy facility in a phased approach as our clients grow their programs. We look forward to partnering with cGMPnow and LEAD Construction to make our vision reality.”

Gil Staley, CEO, The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership, said, “We are proud that Cellipont Bioservices will call The Woodlands home. Their dynamic facility will be a jewel among the growing bioscience companies in our Research Forest commercial area. With healthcare as our largest business sector, Cellipont will undoubtedly enhance the sustainability of our medical hub.”

Ann Tanabe, CEO of industry group BioHouston, Inc., said, “We know that the Houston area is a great place for the life sciences industry to take root, so it’s wonderful when a company located in one of the premier biotech hubs—San Diego—recognizes this and chooses Houston as their next strategic location.”