Cerbios celebrates 40 years of innovation

Lugano, Switzerland: – High-tech CDMO Cerbios-Pharma SA (Cerbios) today marked the 40th anniversary of its founding with quiet pride at its newly expanded Lugano headquarters and declared determination to keep on innovating.

|t was on March 11, 1976 that Bioferment S.A. was originally registered in Lugano as a company dedicated to the manufacturing of products derived from fermentation and various other pharmaceutical fields, and started operations.

Over time, Bioferment metamorphosed into today’s Cerbios-Pharma The original Bioferment name is still partially present in the company name that was created in 1994 as a merger of the three companies owned by the same shareholders in Lugano: CERnitin SA, BIOferment SA and Sapec SA to form CERBIOS.

Breakthrough products

The very first product to emerge from the Bioferment laboratories was Enterococcus faecium SF68®,a pharmaceutical probiotic. Launched as a pharmaceutical prescription drug in Switzerland, Italy and Austria, it was successfully marketed under the brand name Bioflorin® from the 1980s.

Over the next decade, Bioferment went on to develop a second product line in animal health that was launched by several partners, including Roche Vitamins (now DSM).

The application of probiotics in animal nutrition has proven to be a modern and natural way to improve zootechnical performances as well as the health and welfare of farm animals. Sales have been accelerating as use of antibiotics as growth promoters becomes increasingly problematic.

Into biologicals

The success of SF68®, the animal health line and the resulting expertise of Bioferment in probiotics were key factors in Cerbios becoming active as a contract manufacturer on an exclusive basis for Pharmaceutical Probiotics in 2003.

The evolution of the Biological Division was initiated in the late 90’s with the novel enterprise of entering into the world of Recombinant Proteins based on CHO mammalian cells.

The expertise acquired on the internal development of Recombinant Urokinase (patented) and the investments made in the past years in both cGMP facilities and new R&D laboratories, has opened up new opportunities as an exclusive contract manufacturer for originators in the area of monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins.

Third generation

“I’m proud to represent the third generation of the proprietorship of a successful and innovative company that was founded by our grandfathers” declared Cerbios’ President. Anton Van Troostenburg.

“It’s been an exciting challenge to lead this company through the turmoils of current times, while maintaining the original entrepreneurial spirit and corporate culture. I’m confident that we’ll reap many more years of successes and growth, said Mr. “Van Troostenburg.

“The evolution of the original Bioferment activities over the last years is very promising for the future of the Cerbios’ Biological Division” added CEO Gabriel Haering.

“In addition to the products and services offered in our Probiotics and Recombinants, areas, the synergy between our Chemical and Biological divisions is driving the development and manufacturing of exclusive Antibody-Drug-Conjugates (ADCs)”.

About Cerbios-Pharma

Cerbios-Pharma SA is a privately held company located in Lugano, Switzerland, that specializes in the development and manufacture of both chemical and biological APIs for its partners world-wide. Cerbios specializes in the development and production of high potency active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPIs) in the area of fine chemicals and biologicals.

Cerbios Chemical Division offers exclusive, third-party manufacturing services for HPAIs while Biological Division produces monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins and pharma probiotics.

Cerbios provides full CMC support to its worldwide partners, including the supply of cGMP clinical batches, registration/validation material and commercially manufactured APIs. Paramount to this is the ability to supply all of the technical documentation and support necessary for a successful registration. Cerbios’ commercial products are marketed worldwide but primarily in Europe, USA, Japan and India.