Heat Biologics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel biodefense assets and therapies to modulate the immune system, has planned a development partnership for its Scorpion Biological Services subsidiary with a private developer, the State of Kansas and local and university affiliates, to support the development of a new biodefense-focused large molecule and biologics biomanufacturing facility in Manhattan, KS. Manhattan is the home of Kansas State University (K-State), its Biosecurity Research Institute (BRI), and the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF).
 
The company plans to use the new 500,000+ sq.-ft. facility for large molecule and biologics manufacturing, with a particular focus on biodefense. In addition to servicing the Company’s own product pipeline, it plans to operate as a full-service Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) to provide third-party manufacturing services. Once fully operational, the new facility is expected to employ more than 500 people.
 
The design and engineering of the facility is being led by CRB Group, a nationally recognized firm focused on designing and building biomanufacturing facilities, with Realty Trust Group (RTG), a leading healthcare/ life sciences real estate advisory and development firm, serving as the lead developer on the project.
 
Jeff Wolf, Chief Executive Officer of Heat, said, “Today, we are very proud to unveil our plans for our newest biomanufacturing facility in Manhattan, KS. With a model that starts with discovery at our Skunkworx subsidiary in North Brunswick, NJ and ends with commercial scale manufacturing here in Manhattan, this facility represents the next stage in our evolution, designed to enable us to combine speed and agility with the full-integration of discovery, development and manufacturing.”
 
Mr. Wolf added, “The COVID pandemic and recent geopolitical events highlight the urgent need for rapid response to potential biological threats, natural or man-made. Among other intended uses, we believe this facility should enable us to effectively scale production of ANTHIM, an anthrax antitoxin, for use against a potential anthrax attack per our Elusys acquisition, as well as RapidVax, a rapid plug-and-play programmable vaccine designed to target a comprehensive range of emerging biological threats.”