Ibio"s shares surged after news surfaced it had been working in partnership with Caliber since last year, and its iBioLaunch technology may be used in ZMapp"s production.
In 2013, Ibio entered in a long-term license and collaboration agreement with Caliber, under which the iBioLaunch technology will be utilized to produce biologic drugs in Caliber"s manufacturing facility. The agreement will allow partnership with third parties to produce biotherapeutics and vaccines.
iBioLaunch is the biotech"s proprietary technology that allows production of large-scale commercial quantities of plant-based drugs, including monoclonal antibodies. It is highly likely that Ibio"s technology will be used in the manufacturing of ZMapp, if Caliber is awarded the contract.
Robert Kay, Ibio"s CEO, said Caliber has the capacity to produce up to 100 kilograms of ZMapp annually, which he estimates can produce enough quantity to supply 20,000 patients.
Previously, ZMapp was produced at Reynolds American, Inc."s (RAI) tobacco plant facility in Owensboro. While Reynolds has focused the facility"s full capacity on ZMapp production, only 20 doses are estimated to be produced this year.
Under the agreement with Caliber, Ibio will be entitled to receiving royalty fees, as well as milestone payments subject to the production targets given to Caliber.
