UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

Western Bank

SHEFFIELD

S102TN

UK

Contact person: Jamie Shaw

Telephone: +44 1142221516

E-mail: jamie.shaw@sheffield.ac.uk

NUTS: UKE32

Internet address(es)

Main address: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk

II.1.1) Title

II.1.2) Main CPV code

38434540

II.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

II.1.4) Short description

The University of Sheffield (UoS) is establishing a new 'Gene Therapy Innovation Manufacturing Centre' (GTIMC) to advance scientific discoveries into life-changing treatments for patients with life threatening diseases. The Sheffield GTIMC will be one of three cutting edge hubs in the UK dedicated to advancing the clinical development of new genetic treatments. This facility is due to open in the Summer of 2022 and further details can be found at the following link:-

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/new-gene-therapy-innovation-centre-advance-scientific-discoveries-life-changing-treatments.

The UoS requires an Automated Droplet Generator and Droplet Reader in order to undertake this co-ordinated work in parallel to other UK site - NHS Blood and Transplant (Bristol) working on identical methods and processes. To ensure the consistency of the science and comparability of the process development and results, the same equipment needs to be purchased as the other hub at NHSBT. GTIMC and NHSBT Hubs will use the same manufacturing platform being tech transferred from Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult.

II.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

II.1.7) Total value of the procurement

Value excluding VAT: 126 000.00  GBP

IV.1.1) Type of procedure

Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition

Justification for selected award procedure:

The products involved are manufactured purely for the purpose of research, experiment, study or development under the condition stated in the Directive (for supplies only)

Explanation

The University of Sheffield signed an agreement with Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) to tech transfer the Catapult AAV (Adeno-Associated Virus) manufacturing platform to Gene Therapy Innovation and Manufacturing Centre' (GTIMC). This task is one of the milestones under the funding award supporting the establishment of the GTIMC in Sheffield. The milestone must be completed within 12 months of the start of the GTIMC Project, i.e. by end July 2022. Any delay in the tech transfer will also impact on the milestone related to MHRA accreditation of GTIMC due by end Q4 2022.

Using exactly the same equipment as the set up at Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult facilities will minimise delays and reduce time/avoid the need for optimisation of manufacturing protocols at GTIMC and allow us timely and within budget achievement of tech transfer milestones, optimisation using non generic equipment may introduce inconsistent results and invalidate the process which as a result would delay process, characterisation and final production processes.

The GTIMC and University of Sheffield will jointly acquire a technology license from CGT Catapult to be able to use their AAV manufacturing platform. This platform was established and optimised based on the processes developed using the proposed list of equipment.

The list of equipment (as set out herein) and the estimated timescales we plan to purchase was included in our proposal to the MRC/LifeArc to secure funding for the establishment of GTIMC in Sheffield. The subsequent Grant Offer includes the specific brands/models of equipment set out herein.

A single source is therefore proposed to formalise the solution provided by Bio-Rad Laboratories Ltd for the following reasons: -

This equipment has been identified and is currently used by CGT Catapult and therefore to not use the same equipment would invalidate the Tech Transfer processes and agreements

Furthermore, this specific equipment and supplier was identified by CGT Catapult as the optimum type to produce the results and treatments for the better advancement of the process, deviation from this would require significant lengthy additional optimisation which would significantly delay the process and miss funding milestones and therefore minimise delays and reduce time/avoid the need for optimisation of manufacturing protocols at GTIMC and allow us timely and within budget achievement of tech transfer milestones, optimisation using different equipment may introduce inconsistent results and invalidate the process which as a result would delay process, characterisation and final production processes.

Finally, the equipment set out herein will purely for the purpose of research, experiment, study or development within the University and no commercial licence will be held during the lifespan of this equipment. The prime functions of the GTIMC hub is to accelerate translational of gene therapy programs and clinical trials for rare monogenic diseases.

To increase the U.K. capacity for GMP clinical vector manufacturing using the catapult process to allow for expansion of U.K. skills and training within the GTIMC space and increase partnerships with other academia which will create a fertile ecosystem for innovation and research excellence in this field across academia.

IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number in the OJ S:

2022/S 000-001864

Bio-Rad Laboratories Ltd

Watford

UK

NUTS: UKH23

The contractor is an SME: No

VI.4.1) Review body