Delphi Genetics S.A.

Delphi Genetics S.A., now part of Catalent, is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in plasmid DNA (pDNA) for cell and gene therapies. Founded in 2001 by Cédric Szpirer as a spin-off from the Université libre de Bruxelles, the company is headquartered in Gosselies, Belgium. In February 2021, Catalent acquired Delphi Genetics to expand its gene therapy capabilities and establish a European center of excellence.

The company provides services spanning the entire pDNA development and manufacturing process, from preclinical to Phase 3 applications. Its core offering is centered around a proprietary and patented technology called Staby®, an antibiotic-free selection system for plasmid and protein production. This technology addresses regulatory concerns by avoiding the use of antibiotic resistance genes, which is a critical factor for gene therapy applications like DNA vaccines. The Staby® system enhances the stability of plasmid DNA, leading to improved production yields and reproducibility. Delphi Genetics serves the biopharmaceutical industry, providing GMP-grade plasmid DNA for clinical studies in viral and non-viral gene therapy.

Before its acquisition, Delphi Genetics operated as a private company, securing funding from investors like Sambrinvest and Invest4. The business model functions as a CDMO, offering a 'one-stop-shop' for plasmid design, process development, and GMP manufacturing. The acquisition by Catalent integrated Delphi's team and its 1,600-square-meter facility into Catalent's Cell and Gene Therapy business unit, complementing its existing operations in the region.

Keywords: plasmid DNA, CDMO, gene therapy, bioproduction, antibiotic-free selection, Staby technology, genetic engineering, GMP manufacturing, DNA vaccines, molecular biology, viral vectors, protein expression, recombinant proteins, cell therapy, biopharmaceutical services, DNA stabilization, molecular tools, plasmid production, synthetic biology, life sciences