#United States #San Antonio #Entolimod #Valion Bio #Velocity Bioworks

Valion Bio's Significant Milestone in Biomanufacturing

On May 6, 2026, Valion Bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: VBIO), a pioneer in immunotherapeutics, marked a pivotal moment with the opening of its Velocity Bioworks biomanufacturing facility in San Antonio, Texas. This facility is crucial for producing Entolimod™, a drug meant for acute radiation syndrome and supportive cancer care. The grand opening ceremony included notable figures such as U.S. Senator John Cornyn and San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, highlighting the facility's strategic importance to the local bioscience ecosystem and national security.

The Velocity Bioworks facility, strategically located on the VelocityTX innovation campus, represents a deliberate step in Valion Bio's vertically integrated manufacturing approach. The company aims to maintain control over the end-to-end production of its lead therapeutic candidate, Entolimod, keeping domestic supply chains robust amid increasing geopolitical tensions. Currently, Velocity Bioworks employs around 45 professionals, including scientists and engineers, and is already showcasing its operational capacity with successful technology transfer of the Entolimod manufacturing process.

Michael K. Handley, CEO of Valion Bio, emphasized the importance of this facility by stating, “We made a strategic call we were not going to outsource our future.” This approach not only safeguards national preparedness but also positions Valion Bio as a trusted partner for government initiatives.

Advancing Medical Innovation

Entolimod, a Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) agonist, has the potential to address acute radiation syndrome, particularly vital for both civilian cancer patients and military personnel. Valion Bio is working closely with government agencies, such as the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), to potentially include Entolimod in the Strategic National Stockpile as a countermeasure for radiation exposure.

Moreover, the company is also focusing on oncology supportive care applications for Entolimod, specifically to combat chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, a common issue that affects patients undergoing chemotherapy. According to Handley, the goal is to create a secure domestic supply chain to effectively deliver these critical medicines when needed.

A Commitment to Quality and Speed in Biomanufacturing

Ania Szymanska, SVP of Quality and Regulatory Compliance at Velocity Bioworks, highlighted the facility’s role in enabling biotech firms to have an efficient partner capable of managing the entire production process without sacrificing quality. This end-to-end service model is designed to expedite the path from development to manufacturing, fulfilling the urgent needs of patients needing advanced biological therapies.

Valion Bio's choice of San Antonio was strategic, exploiting the city's rich life sciences talent pool, presence of military medical research, and excellent logistical infrastructure. The surrounding ecosystem includes significant partnerships with institutions such as the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research and the Department of Defense, which is crucial for fostering innovation and rapid response capabilities.

Conclusion

The ribbon-cutting event at Velocity Bioworks not only signifies the start of operations for this biomanufacturing facility but also the beginning of a new chapter for Valion Bio as a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). The company’s commitment to high-quality, quick-turnaround biomanufacturing positions it well within the growing biotechnology landscape, poised to meet the demands of both governmental and commercial clients effectively.

Valion Bio continues to advance its dual focus on maintaining a robust internal pipeline while expanding its capabilities to serve external clients in the biologics sector. With the establishment of Velocity Bioworks, Valion is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of biomanufacturing and ensuring the availability of crucial therapies like Entolimod for patients in need.