BMS To Take Over Novartis Plant In Effort To Boost Viral Vector Production For CAR-Ts

BMS’s myeloma CAR-T, Abecma, has faced manufacturing backlogs, like its rival, J&J and Legend Biotech’s Carvykti, with viral vector shortages playing a significant role.

BMS said it would take control of a Novartis plant in Illinois to manufacture viral vectors for CAR-T • Source: Shutterstock

Bristol Myers Squibb Company is hoping to bolster its manufacturing capacity for autologous chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies with an agreement to take over one of Novartis AG’s manufacturing plants.

The announcement closely follows a contract manufacturing deal that the Swiss drug maker reached with Legend Biotech Corp. and...