DiNAQOR to produce gene therapies in Greater Zurich

DiNAQOR was founded in 2019 by a group of biotechnology and pharmaceutical experts and specializes in the development of gene therapies. Headquartered in Pfäffikon in the canton of Schwyz, in the fall the company moved into a new research facility housed at the Bio-Technopark Schlieren-Zurich. At this facility, which covers an area of approximately 900 square meters, the focus of DiNAQOR’s activities is primarily on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) as well as on gene therapies for patients suffering from cardiac diseases.

According to a press release, DiNAQOR will now focus on expanding its location at Bio-Technopark Schlieren-Zurich. The company will be constructing a production facility for gene therapies directly adjacent to its research and development unit. This new facility will cover an area of 1,200 square meters, thereby more than doubling the space available to DiNAQOR in Schlieren.

In more specific terms, gene therapies on the basis of adeno-associated viruses (AAV) are to be produced at the Schlieren site. The facility will comply with quality control requirements for production processes and manufacturing environments in the area of pharmaceuticals and active ingredients. It should additionally facilitate the production of clinical-grade material up to a Phase 3 development stage.

“Establishing DiNAQOR’s own gene therapy manufacturing capabilities positions us for the successful development of our in-house pipeline of novel genetic treatments for the failing heart” comments Eduard Ayuso, Chief Technology Officer at DiNAQOR, in the press release. He also explained how the combination of research and manufacturing capacities under one roof will result in improved internal collaborations and accelerate innovation.  

DiNAQOR expects that the production facility will be operational by the second half of 2022. By this time, the company intends to employ more than 50 staff at Bio-Technopark Schlieren-Zurich.