Batch manufacture of high titer/titre GMP (U.S.A.) compliant lentiviral vector for FDA approval

We are planning a phase I/II clinical trial to treat a rare genetic disease that causes
progressive dementia in children. Our therapy will use autologous CD34+ haematopoietic
stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) which are modified ex vivo with LVV to express
supraphysiologic levels of a secreted enzyme.
In order to progress this therapy, we require a high titre LVV produced to good
manufacturing practice (GMP) standard. The supplier must have extensive previous
experience manufacturing LVVs to this specification which have achieved regulatory
approval for phase I/II clinical trials, ideally for use in human CD34+ HSPC transduction.
The QC defined must be performed in compliance with FDA regulations. The product of
the initial delivery will be delivered directly to the University of California, LA, USA.
Note that throughout the document the British spelling ‘Titre’ has been used; this is
analogous to the American English term ‘Titer’ and the spellings may be used
interchangeably.
The University anticipates initially awarding for;
- Manufacture of concentrated lentiviral vector (LVV) from a 30L viral harvest
- Such award to include any warranties on quality, product replacement (for spoilage),
transport, and other supplier project costs such as (but not limited to) quality control
testing and audit.
The cost estimate of the procurement reflects the anticipated cost of the initial
requirement plus contingency, for (for example but not limited to), 1. Scope extension, 2.
Additional ad-hoc delivery to support further trials.
The time frame of the agreement – 3 years, reflects an initial delivery period expected to
be no longer than 12 months post signature, and the option to buy additional deliveries for
two years thereafter. The University may award additional deliveries to the awarded
supplier via the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Call for Competition.
For transparency we have a budget appetite of approximately USD560k for the delivery of
the initial services. We may review this estimate from time to time.
Having posted this notice we reserve the right to repost any subsequent notice (including
if the ultimate procurement procedure is re-run) under reduced timescales as set out in
the regulations.

See procurement documentation for all un-abridged description.
DEFINITIONS
FDA is the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA); the regulator for new clinical drugs
GMP means ‘Good Manufacturing Practice’; U.S.A.
IND is an “Investigational New Drug Application”; a request to the FDA to be permitted to
administer a new prototype drug on human patients for research purposes
Lentiviral vector (LVV) is a type of virus (retrovirus) that inserts its DNA into the cells of
the organism/person it infects.
Plasmid is a small DNA molecule which stores non-chromosomal DNA.
Must-have capabilities
- Able to produce a 30L harvest of unconcentrated LVV-containing supernatant following
transduction of 293T cells from a certified Master Cell Bank with genome and packaging
plasmids supplied by the University
- Able to concentrate this supernatant by a factor of approx. 100-200x to produce a
concentrated high titre LVV
- The supplier must have extensive prior experience of such manufacture and have
achieved numerous regulatory approvals for use of their LVV products in phase I/II clinical
trials. This is critical to ensure there is confidence that the supplier product will be
acceptable and well-received for regulatory approval.
o 10 years prior experience of manufacturing GMP-compliant LVV products
o Achieved minimum of 50 prior regulatory approvals (ideally FDA) of GMP-compliant
LVV products
- Supplied should follow all relevant legislation applicable to this engagement including in
their location/s of manufacture, and the State of California, USA
- The supplier should demonstrate a manufacturing process which is compliant with GMP
and that gives high confidence of their ability to deliver a high quality, compliant, product.
- For the purposes of greater transparency, collaboration and regulatory traceability and
accountability we require a direct relationship with the manufacturing entity/lead and
therefore bids proposed by an entity acting solely as a reseller/distributor will unfortunately
not be acceptable for this requirement. It is our expectation that the bidder undertakes the
manufacturing; however other functions like Quality Control may be undertaken by
subcontractors providing that the bidder takes full ultimate responsibility for delivery of the
contract.
- The supplier should demonstrate a reasonable and practicable solution for logistical
delivery of the product.
- For transparency we have a budget appetite of approximately USD560k for the delivery
of the initial services. We may review this estimate from time to time.
Desirable criteria
- It is desirable that the supplier can complete end to end delivery of initial requirement
(including manufacture, quality control and regulatory pack preparation), within 12 months
or fas