Gosselies, Belgium, October 23, 2015 – Univercells SA, a company that designs single-use cost-efficient bioprocess solutions to open the next chapter in biomanufacturing, today announces it has closed an equity investment of €3 million with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (‘Takeda’) through its strategic venture arm, Takeda Ventures, Inc. The companies will launch a development program to tailor Univercells’ continuous integrated manufacturing methods and integrate them into the Takeda vaccines production platform.
“Partnering with Takeda is a strong sign we are heading in the right direction. We are excited to collaborate with a pioneering global player focused on helping people above all else,” said Hugues Bultot, CEO of Univercells.
“Equal access to health around the globe is critical and we believe this comes through decentralized production, which is the biggest challenge in this new era of biomanufacturing,” said Jose Castillo, CTO of Univercells.
“Takeda is committed to making its vaccines available to people in need, wherever they may live. Reducing production costs while maintaining the highest levels of quality is an important part of our access strategy, and manufacturing science plays a critical role,” said Dr. Rajeev Venkayya, President of Takeda’s Vaccine Business Unit.
About Univercells
Univercells leverages manufacturing sciences to design single-use bioprocess solutions that change the rules in biomanufacturing. Univercells aims to make biologics available and affordable for all by re-inventing the way they are manufactured across the globe. The company creates value for manufacturers and healthcare systems with cost efficiency and local supply while increasing patients’ access to healthcare.
Univercells’ process integration and intensification results in a smaller footprint and unit cost that significantly reduces infrastructure investment and sales price. Its innovative approach breaks barriers to entry and allows clients to develop local bioproduction facilities, including those for biosimilars. These production units are less costly to build and to operate, while offering flexible capabilities, from small to large batches. Univercells can manage all or part of the biomanufacturing project, from design and building of manufacturing facilities to maintenance and supply of API’s bulks. Univercells was founded in 2013 by an experienced partnership with prior entrepreneurial success. José Castillo, CTO and Hughes Bultot, CEO have more than 15 years of expertise working together in the biotechnology and life sciences sectors.
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