Mapp to expand operations to KBP’s campus
As part of its focus on development of a commercial scale production platform for its products, Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc. (Mapp) today announced that the company will expand operations to the Kentucky Bioprocessing (KBP) campus in Owensboro, Kentucky. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, Mapp has developed and is currently producing several different plant derived products. The expansion to the KBP campus is intended to allow Mapp to leverage the unique expertise and capability of KBP to develop full scale cGMP production methods for its products, enabling clinical trials and ultimately product commercialization.
Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Inc. (www.mappbio.com) was founded in 2003 to develop novel pharmaceuticals for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, focusing on unmet needs in global health and biodefense. Mapp’s scientific team has core competencies in immunology and infectious disease as well as plant biology and the production of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) in plants. In July, Arizona State University, Mapp and KBP announced a collaboration agreement on anti-viral microbicides intended to protect women from certain infectious diseases. Mapp has also previously announced that it was working with KBP on development of monoclonal antibodies for use in immunotherapy for Clostridium difficile disease. Incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) continues to increase and is a growing concern of medical professionals.
Mapp’s presence is not expected to require any immediate expansion or improvement to the KBP campus. Instead Mapp will take over office space and make use of existing labs and other facilities allowing its scientific team to work more closely with the experts at KBP in product development and in refining production systems.
“We are excited about further strengthening our ties to KBP, a world-leader in cGMP production of plant-derived pharmaceuticals,” said Mapp CEO Kevin Whaley. “Our presence in Owensboro is designed to facilitate collaboration between our scientific team and the experienced professionals at KBP but it also allows us to take advantage of the many assets that the region offers to companies and researchers interested in plant derived products.”
“Working with Mapp has been an absolute pleasure and we are delighted to welcome them not only to KBP but to Owensboro as well. Their products and their people are perfect examples of the quality research and expertise that will make KBP successful. We are extremely proud that they have not only chosen to work with us but have also decided to become a neighbor,” said KBP Chairman Hugh Haydon.