Innovation in Biomanufacturing Plants

Biopharmaceutical plants will look different in the future. Agility and flexibility for rapidly changing product portfolios, single-use technologies, continuous manufacturing, small batch manufacturing, personalised medicine manufacturing will not only change the face of a plant but will also require other logistics models. Chris will explain WuXi Biologics’ approach to biological facilities of the future.
Presented by Chris Chen PhD, CEO at WuXi Biologics

Dr. Chris Chen is currently Chief Executive Officer at WuXi Biologics, a Hong Kong listed public company with market cap of approx $12 billion USD. At WuXi he has built a world-class open-access integrated biologics discovery, development and manufacturing platform enabling full spectrum of companies ranging from 2-employee virtual companies to Top 20 global large pharma. WuXi has transformed the global biotech industry by enabling entrepreneurs to build successful biotech companies with no need for investing in infrastructure for people, labs or manufacturing. Under his leadership, WuXi has assembled one of the largest biologics teams with over 4000 scientists enabling 60+ biologics entering into clinical trials and 5+ products for BLA per year. WuXi Biologics is currently development 200+ molecules for global clients. WuXi has also pioneered disposable-bioreactor based state-of-the-art commercial manufacturing facility and built the first 30,000L bioreactor capacity in the world using disposables. By 2021 more than 220,000L bioreactor capacity will be available at WuXi Biologics.
Dr. Chen obtained his dual bachelor degrees of chemical engineering and automation at Tsinghua University, Beijing China and his Ph.D. in chemical engineering at the University of Delaware, US. He then gained valuable experience in biologics development, manufacturing and quality in the US, where his previous assignments include director and manager positions at Lilly and Merck. Dr. Chen later joined Shanghai Celgen Biopharmaceuticals as Chief Operating Officer, successfully developed a high-titer high-quality commercial process for biosimilar etanercept, and obtained regulatory approval for the program in China in 2011. He chaired multiple conferences in biochemical engineering and mab development in US and China and is frequently invited to speak at multiple conferences. He is also adjunct professor at Shanghai Jiaotong University. Dr Chen is co-author and co-inventor of 80+ publications and patents
Sponsored by Merck

Merck is a leading science and technology company that offers BioReliance® End-to-End Solutions – an adaptable CDMO partner for start-ups and small biotechs needing to develop and commercialize biologics. We do this by balancing speed, risk, and cost through custom solutions, by leveraging our bioprocessing technologies and process development expertise. We work closely with colleagues at the Life Science Business of Merck to shape new technologies and solutions for our clients. Our facility in Martillac, France has been upgraded to a single-use platform, using our own products and technologies, and creating GMP batches for our clients. In 2018, we have opened new biodevelopment centers in Boston, USA and Shanghai, China for process development and non-GMP production to give our clients easy access, wherever their vital work takes place. To learn more, visit merckmillipore.com/end-to-end.
Followed by Dr. Sébastien Ribault, Senior Director, Global Delivery and Sales, BioReliance® End-to-End Solutions at Merck. 
He leads activities including the Biodevelopment centers in France, USA and China including development and production of Clinical API for internal and external clients. Sébastien manages the Operation teams as well as Quality, Regulatory, Analytics and the associated support groups. He also supports the development of new and innovative biomanufacturing technologies and solutions through “New Technology” activities of the Process Development team. Dr. Ribault received his Microbiology Engineer degree in 1997 from the Engineer School of Luminy, Marseille, France and his PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology in 2001 from the University of Strasbourg.