Bend Research, an independent drug-formulation development and manufacturing company based in Bend, Ore., has launched an initiative to expand its scientific and engineering expertise into biotherapeutics.

Bend Research will partner with clients to develop and optimize pharmaceutical engineering processes and technologies by coupling fundamental cellular processes with the optimal cell environment for each phase of production.

“The campaign is grounded in science and engineering fundamentals, with a focus on applying macro engineering approaches to leverage an understanding of complex cell-biology,” said Dr. Lisa Graham, senior vice president, Bend Research. “We’ve validated this approach in our small-molecules business and we’re now uniquely positioned to bring this valuable experience to the broader biotherapeutics market.”

The initiative builds upon an exclusive relationship with Pfizer of nearly seven years, in which Bend Research develop new tools and models to advance candidates in the Pfizer biotherapeutics pipeline. Through those projects, innovative tools were developed that streamline production within existing plants and provide other cost-savings opportunities during the design of new plants.

In the past, Bend Research has provided a wide range of bioprocessing services and capabilities to help clients advance biotherapeutic products and processes, capitalizing on the company’s experience in process development, analytical sciences and formulation science. This includes comprehensive development methodologies, individual tools and models, upstream and downstream bioprocessing solutions, computational modeling at multiple scales and prototype engineering.