Chiba: AGC Biologics, a global biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), has expanded its manufacturing agreement with South Korea-based biotech company Novelty Nobility to advance a bispecific antibody drug candidate. According to BERNAMA News Agency, Novelty Nobility will progress its candidate, NN4101, through process development and GMP manufacturing at AGC Biologics' facility in Chiba, Japan. The partnership builds on earlier collaboration between the companies, including completed cell line development in Copenhagen, Denmark, and will leverage AGC Biologics' global network for subsequent manufacturing stages. AGC Biologics Senior Vice President and General Manager of its Chiba site, Susumu Zen-in, stated that the company's integrated global network enables seamless project execution. 'This approach is creating wins for our partners and for AGC Biologics throughout the APAC region. The upcoming capacity at our new Yokohama site will only strengthen our ability to mee t the global demand for vital biopharmaceuticals,' he added. Meanwhile, Novelty Nobility Chief Executive Officer, Sang Gyu Park, said the partnership supports the advancement of complex biologics programs. 'AGC Biologics has proven to be an ideal manufacturing partner for advancing our most complex programs. Their global network gives us the confidence to move NN4101 forward with speed and precision,' he said. NN4101 is a first-in-class bispecific antibody targeting neovascular retinal diseases, combining an anti-c-Kit monoclonal antibody with a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) trap. AGC Biologics is also expanding its footprint in Japan with a new facility in Yokohama, designed to support large-scale GMP manufacturing using single-use bioreactor technology, making it one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in Japan.