UC center wants efficient biotech drug production

When the UC-Berkeley Center for Biopharmaceutical Operations opens next year, its founders plan to find more efficient methods to manufacture biologics. And their goal is to make biotech drugs less expensive while ensuring a reliable supply of the therapies. Bayer Healthcare and Genentech have already signed on as supporters of the center, and the founders plan to approach other biotech companies in the San Francisco area to gauge their willingness to get involved as well.

"It's not sufficient to hire a bunch of people in manufacturing to look at these problems," acting co-director Rick Johnston tells the East Bay Business Times. "Biotech issues are complex. You really need to have academics look at a problem and say, ‘You know what? That's similar to a problem that we solved 10 years ago in the semiconductor industry.' "

- read the report in the East Bay Business Times