GeneFab Launches to Offer Innovative Manufacturing and Synthetic Biology Design Services for Genetic Medicines
- GeneFab's cGMP facility in the San Francisco Bay Area has available capacity to support new customers with complex cell and gene therapy manufacturing — including allogeneic and autologous cell therapy, viral vector, and critical starting materials.
- GeneFab is led by Philip Lee, PhD, former Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Senti Bio.
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Aug. 10, 2023. GeneFab, LLC ("GeneFab"), a contract research, development and manufacturing organization (CRDMO) partnering with the cell and gene therapy industry and backed by private equity firm Celadon Partners, LLC, today announced a transaction with Senti Biosciences, Inc. ("Senti Bio") in which GeneFab would sublease Senti Bio's current good manufacturing practice ("cGMP") facility, a portion of which is subject to certain conditions. In addition, GeneFab would acquire Senti Bio's chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) capabilities for aggregate deal consideration of approximately $38 million. As part of the transaction, departing Senti Bio Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Philip Lee, PhD, will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of GeneFab.
An end-to-end platform
GeneFab has an extensive technology platform and know-how spanning early-stage product design, technical development, and GMP production. The Company operates from a 92,000 square foot state-of-the-art cGMP manufacturing facility in Alameda, California that includes 42,000 square feet dedicated to the manufacturing of innovative Phase 1/2 clinical trial materials. The facility has additional capacity to support complex cell and gene therapy manufacturing, including allogeneic and autologous cell therapy, viral vector, and cell banking.
Built on a proven facility
The Alameda-based facility was initiated by Senti Bio in 2021 as a customized end-to-end clinical and commercial-scale cell therapy manufacturing solution; the buildout was completed earlier in 2023. With Celadon Partners' backing, GeneFab acquired the facility (via a sublease) and employs approximately 50 people, including experts in cell therapy, CMC, and synthetic biology. GeneFab supports the clinical manufacturing of Senti Bio's off-the-shelf chimeric antigen receptor natural killer cell (CAR-NK) pipeline through a service contract.
"Next generation cell and gene therapies are poised to deliver 'miracle medicines' — GeneFab accelerates that objective and enables its clients to focus capital on delivering future milestones, while outsourcing the complex design and manufacturing processes to a highly-specialized and engaged service provider," said Donald Tang, Managing Partner at Celadon Partners.
Jonathan Su, Managing Director at Celadon Partners, added: "GeneFab's capability to offer end-to-end cell and gene therapy development and manufacturing enables the Company to stand at the forefront of innovation, supporting drug developers at every stage of their journey."
About GeneFab
GeneFab is a contract manufacturing and synthetic biology biofoundry focused on cell and gene therapies. GeneFab was formed in 2023 with a vision to combine industry-leading expertise in synthetic biology with advanced cGMP capabilities in order to accelerate the development and commercialization of genetic medicines. GeneFab's technology platform includes bioinformatic-guided discovery of cell-type promoters, directed evolution of small molecule-regulated gene switches, and the engineering of highly sensitive kill switches for enhanced safety and control of cellular therapies.