• With advanced process automation solutions, Siemens will help Akesobio to build benchmarking projects in the field of monoclonal antibodies and promote the development of industrialization and digitalization of monoclonal antibodies in China.
• Siemens will provide fully integrated automation portfolios including DCS, Batch and MCC, as well as the whole integrated digitalization solution from planning and design to implementation, laying a solid foundation for the future intelligent factory.

Today, Siemens signed a commercial contract and a technical agreement with Akeso Sano Pharma Co., Ltd, one of the wholly-owned subsidiaries of Akesobio, for in-depth cooperation in the field of automation, digitalization and intelligence. The cooperation aims to help Akesobio to build benchmarking projects of process automation in the field of monoclonal antibody drugs in China, which is located in Akesobio Bay Area Science and Technology Park. In addition, it will further enhance the verall R&D innovation and industrialization comprehensive strength of Akesobio and lay the foundation for the establishment of the future intelligenct plant.

As a pioneer and promoter of biopharma innovation in China, Akesobio has been committed to the independent discovery, development and commercialization of pioneering new drugs and similar best antibody biologics since its establishment in 2012, providing high-quality innovative antibody drugs to patients around the world. Akesobio Bay Area Science and Technology Park is under construction by Akesobio, which has full research and development and industrialization functions of biomedicine and will become an international advanced comprehensive biomedicine industrial park in the future. The process automation project of Akesobio Bay Area Science and Technology Park adopts 40000L stainless steel process equipment, which will greatly expand the production capacity. Once completed, it will become one of the largest monoclonal antibody production lines in China.

“The monoclonal antibody market in China is in its infancy, and the difficulty of developing R&D and manufacturing processes, the high threshold of large-scale production, the high cost of capacity expansion and the increasingly strict regulations pose great challenges for monoclonal antibody production and commercialization. Digital technology is the key for biopharmaceutical companies to meet the challenges.” Dr. Jun Yao, General Manager of Process Automation and Vice President of Digital Industries Siemens Ltd., China, “Data-driven, technological innovation will be the main way for monoclonal antibodies and even biopharmaceutical companies to reduce costs, improve efficiency and expand capacity. I am looking forward to combining Siemens’ strength in digitization with Akesobio’s strength in R&D and process, to effectively guarantee the commercialization process of many innovative drugs of Akesobio, and jointly promote the development of high-quality innovative biological drugs in China.”

Dr. Xia Yu, Senior Vice President of Akesobio said: “As a leading enterprise in the digitalization field, Siemens always provides high-quality products and advanced technology and solution to the society with continuous technological and management innovation. The cooperation with Siemens is an important measure for us to enhance the comprehensive strength of industrialization, and a key node to embark on the journey of digitalization. Akesobio is at a critical period to accelerate the industrialization of our innovation. We hope to leverage Siemens’ innovative products, technologies, and industry experiences in the biopharmaceutical field to enhance our commercialization capabilities and become one of the world's leading companies in the field of innovator antibody-drugs.”

According to the agreement, Siemens will provide Akesobio with a fully integrated solution, including SIMATIC PCS 7, Batch and other process automation systems, and integrate control of third-party equipment at the Batch level, so as to better improve the flexibility of the process. In addition, the project will be carried out by Siemens’ professional engineering team, who will provide complete solution including planning and design, project management, installation and commissioning, equipment qualification and GMP verification services, etc..

In the future, the two companies will further cooperate in digitalization and smart factory to jointly promote the digitalization and commercialization in the field of monoclonal antibodies and biopharmaceuticals.