INITS SMO and ALGA BIOLOGICS Join Forces to Pioneer GMP-Grade Monoclonal Antibody Production Using Microalgae

Montpellier, France, February 2026 - INITS, a Montpellier-based French company, is proud to announce its first partnership for its Shared Manufacturing Organization (SMO) with Alga Biologics, a French deeptech company specializing in the sustainable production of recombinant antibodies using marine microalgae.

This landmark collaboration represents a major milestone for both organizations, as they combine their expertise to demonstrate the feasibility of producing monoclonal antibodies in a GMP-compliant environment using Alga Biologics’ innovative microalgae biomanufacturing platform. This achievement marks a worldwide breakthrough in biopharmaceutical industry.

Demonstrating the potential of Alga Biologics’ microalgae-based biomanufacturing platform to produce sustainable biologics

The partnership will focus on the production of a GMP batch of a monoclonal antibody targeting pediatric neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer. This initiative will validate through its demonstrator the regulatory compliance of Alga Biologics’ technology within a photobioreactor-based production system, opening new avenues towards sustainable biomanufacturing of biologics.

A Revolutionary Approach to Bioproduction

Alga Biologics is aiming to revolutionize the production of antibodies through a disruptive biomanufacturing platform that replaces mammalian cells with marine microalgae. This innovative approach meets the growing demand for antibodies in immunotherapy and improves cost-effective, accessibility, safety, and sustainability. The process eliminates the risk of viral contamination and ensures consistent product quality, while delivering several key advantages:

• Environmental: Reduced environmental footprint through less energy consumption, no animal-derived components, CO2 fixation.

• Social: lower production costs at industrial scale, improving patient access to life-saving therapies.

• Long-term: Nearly carbon-neutral production, aligning with global sustainability goals.

“After three years of successful collaboration, we are proud that Alga Biologics has renewed its trust by selecting us as their GMP production partner. This transition from consulting to manufacturing reflects the strength of our partnership and our commitment to delivering high-quality, compliant manufacturing solutions”, said Amel HADRI, CEO and Founder of INITS.

“Partnering with INITS SMO is a strategic step for Alga Biologics. Their expertise in regulatory, quality assurance, and GMP production will accelerate our mission to revolutionize antibody and biologics manufacturing. Together, we are setting a new standard for sustainable, accessible, safer and high-quality biotherapeutics, said Muriel BARDOR, CEO and CSO, Founder of Alga Biologics.

INITS SMO extends its heartfelt gratitude to Alga Biologics for their trust and confidence. We are excited to embark on this journey together and look forward to a successful and impactful collaboration.

About Alga Biologics

Founded in November 2021 and based in Normandie, Alga Biologics is a French deeptech company born from over a decade of academic research from the IFREMER and the University of Rouen Normandie. Alga Biologics harness the natural power of marine microalgae as cell biofactories to produce sustainable, safer and more affordable recombinant proteins and peptides including antibodies. The company’s addresses several markets such as research, diagnostic, cosmetics as well as the pharmaceutical market. Alga Biologics is supported by the France 2030 program, BPI France (Aide au développement Deeptech), the region Normandie and the Women TechEU program (https://womentecheurope.eu/). It has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Techinnov 2024 Healthtech Prize and its selection to the Prix Galien USA 2025 in the best start-up category.

For more information about Alga Biologics, visit https://www.algabiologics.com/en

About INITS

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Montpellier, France, INITS is a service company supporting biotech companies throughout their pharmaceutical development journey.

INITS has over 12 years of experience and has supported more than 250 clients in France and internationally. With a strong expertise in biologics (Cells, genes, EVs, Antibodies, proteins...), small and large molecules, and a team of more than 40 experts, INITS covers all pharmaceutical development challenges, including CMC, Regulatory, Clinical Supply, Quality Assurance, and Audits.

For several years, INITS has been developing a disruptive project: INITS SMO, a shared bioproduction unit that is expected to be operational in Q2 2026. This unit will allow biotech companies to maintain control over their process by producing themselves their Drug Substance batches while benefiting from INITS’ support (Regulatory, QA, QC, Supply, Fill & Finish, Packaging, Product release and Clinical supply). INITS SMO will also provide Drug Product manufacturing service either from Drug Substance produced by its clients or elsewhere.

For more information about INITS, visit https://inits.fr.

Press Contacts

Christelle ROCHON
Head of Strategic Partnerships & BD, INITS
c.rochon@inits.fr

Muriel BARDOR

CEO/CSO, Alga Biologics

muriel.bardor@algabiologics.com