Reithera

What Reithera does

Reithera S.r.l. is an Italian Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) that develops and produces biopharmaceutical products based on viral vector and gene delivery technologies. Founded in 2007 as Okairos Srl as a spin-out of Merck's IRBM research center, the company was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline in 2013-2014 and subsequently renamed ReiThera, operating GMP-certified manufacturing facilities in Rome and an additional office in Naples. The company serves pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, research institutions, and global health organizations with end-to-end viral vector services spanning process development, GMP manufacturing, fill-finish, and QP release. Headcount is reported in the 101-250 range, and the company is privately held with no identified traditional venture or growth equity rounds.

Reithera's technology portfolio comprises several proprietary platforms: the GRAd (gorilla-derived adenoviral) vector platform with demonstrated safety and immunogenicity in thousands of clinical trial subjects; the ReiCell-AAV HEK293-derived suspension cell line for scalable adeno-associated virus production; the MVA (Modified Vaccinia Ankara) platform for vaccine development; the HSV vector platform for gene therapy; and a Vaccinia-lineage platform applied to oncolytic virotherapy. The company operates a substantial GMP footprint in Rome — 870 m² cGMP production suites, 400 m² QC labs, and a 1,500 sqm newly validated large-scale production area equipped with 1000L and 2000L stirred-tank bioreactors and fixed-bed bioreactors supporting production up to 3000L scale, plus automated aseptic fill-finish capability for batches up to 3,500 vials. Beyond fee-for-service CDMO work, ReiThera advances its own product candidates, including the GRAd-COV2 COVID-19 vaccine (Phase 1/2 completed), GRAdHIVNE1 for HIV (Phase 1 in Africa initiated July 2025), and the SJ-600 anticancer virus platform with SillaJen.

The business model combines custom, quote-based CDMO contracts (with multi-year durations) and technology development services, supplemented by non-dilutive funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the European Commission (Horizon Europe programs including MAGIC, VECTOPUR, SATIN, ENHAPUR), and BARDA. Strategic relationships with IAVI, the Ragon Institute, Sabin Vaccine Institute, the Rwanda Government, the MAGIC Consortium, AAVantgarde Bio, and TIGEM provide both development partnerships and a pipeline of manufacturing opportunities. Leadership includes co-founder and CEO Stefano Colloca, previously Senior Research Fellow at IRBM, alongside a deep technical bench drawn largely from the Okairos and IRBM/Merck lineage.

Name

Reithera

Legal name

Reithera S.r.l.

Website

https://reithera.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Reithera S.r.l. is a Rome-based CDMO that develops and manufactures viral vectors (adenoviral, AAV, MVA, HSV, lentiviral) for gene therapies and genetic vaccines, serving pharmaceutical, biotech, and global health clients across infectious disease, gene therapy, and oncolytic virotherapy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biopharmaceutical CDMO Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Gene Therapy (Viral Vector/Plasmid) CDMO (HLAGABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gene Therapy Vector Manufacturing & CDMO Services (HLAAACAJ), Clinical Trial Material (CTM) Manufacturing & Supply CDMO (HLAGABAK), Vaccine Technology Platforms (mRNA, viral vector, protein subunit, inactivated/live-attenuated, VLP, DNA) (HLAAAEAD)

Keywords

• Viral vector manufacturing
• Contract development manufacturing
• Gene therapy CDMO
• Genetic vaccine production
• GMP biopharmaceutical services

Headquarters

HQ city

Roma

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. CDMO Services - GMP Manufacturing: Contract development and manufacturing organization providing end-to-end GMP viral vector manufacturing services from early development through QP release. Services include upstream cell culture, downstream purification, fill-finish operations, and quality control testing for clinical trial material.
2. Technology Development Services: Process development services for viral vector platforms including adenoviruses (replication incompetent, replication competent, and high capacity helper-dependent HD), AAV, MVA, Rhabdoviruses, Lentiviruses and Retroviruses

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ReiThera is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) that provides end-to-end viral vector services for genetic vaccines and advanced therapies. Offerings include proprietary vector platforms (GRAd, ReiCell-AAV, MVA, HSV, Vaccinia), process and technology development, GMP manufacturing up to 3000L scale, fill-finish with automated aseptic filling, and full QC and QP release for clinical trial material.

Product overview

ReiThera is an Italian Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) specializing in viral vector technologies for genetic vaccines and advanced therapies. The company offers a portfolio of proprietary platforms including the GRAd (gorilla adenovirus-derived) platform for vaccines and immuno-oncology, the ReiCell-AAV platform for scalable AAV production, the MVA platform for vaccine development, and HSV vector platform for gene therapy. ReiThera provides end-to-end CDMO services from early development through GMP manufacturing and fill-finish, supporting clinical translation of genetic vaccines and advanced therapies. Manufacturing capabilities span multiple viral vector types including adenovirus, AAV, lentivirus, MVA, HSV, rhabdovirus, and retrovirus, with scales up to 3000L using stirred-tank and fixed-bed bioreactors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Viral Vector CDMO Services Contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) services for viral vectors including adenovirus, AAV, lentivirus, MVA, HSV, rhabdovirus, and retrovirus; spans technology and process development, GMP manufacturing up to 3000L, and automated aseptic fill-finish. Customers include pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and global health organizations.
• GRAd Platform Proprietary gorilla-derived adenoviral (GRAd) vector platform for genetic vaccines and immuno-oncology applications, enabling tumor-selective replication in cancer cells and triggering strong T-cell immune responses. Used in COVID-19, HIV, Ebola, and Marburg vaccine programs.
• ReiCell-AAV Platform Proprietary HEK293-derived cell line (ReiCell-AAV) for scalable adeno-associated virus (AAV) production in suspension culture, supporting gene therapy vector manufacturing.
• MVA Platform Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vector platform for vaccine development, with established GMP production processes in adhesion and suspension formats, including scalable chromatographic purification approaches.
• HSV Vector Platform Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) vector platform for gene therapy applications, with established GMP grade-B area manufacturing processes.
• GRAd-COV2 Vaccine Candidate COVID-19 vaccine candidate based on a group C gorilla adenoviral vector, with completed Phase 1 and Phase 2 (COVITAR) clinical trials showing a favorable safety profile and potent, durable humoral and cellular immunity to SARS-CoV-2.
• GRAd-HIV / GRAdHIVNE1 Vaccine Candidate HIV vaccine candidate based on a gorilla adenoviral vector encoding highly networked HIV T cell epitopes, developed in collaboration with the Ragon Institute and IAVI and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Phase 1 trial (IAVI C114) initiated in Africa in 2025.
• SJ-600 Series Anticancer Virus Platform Next-generation anticancer virus platform based on a Vaccinia lineage, co-developed with SillaJen under a Master Service Agreement. Features enable repeated administration and intravenous delivery with enhanced effectiveness through expression of the complement regulatory protein CD55.
• AAVB-081 Gene Therapy (LUCE-1 Trial Material) Dual AAV vector gene therapy (AAVB-081) delivering the large MYO7A protein for Usher Syndrome Type 1B, manufactured by ReiThera for AAVantgarde's LUCE-1 first-in-human clinical trial.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4x+ volumetric productivity increase with cell perfusion process
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• SillaJencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 January 2025Master Service Agreement making ReiThera the manufacturing partner for SillaJen's SJ-600 series anticancer virus platform (GEEV). ReiThera conducts advanced development and GMP production to transform the platform into clinical-ready drug. The SJ-600 series enables repeated administration and intravenous delivery with enhanced effectiveness through complement regulatory protein CD55 expression.
• Rwanda GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2024Collaboration to combat Marburg virus outbreak through vaccine development and distribution. ReiThera produced ~1,000 additional vaccine doses for clinical trial targeting high-risk populations. Over 2,700 doses delivered to date with 1,500+ healthcare workers vaccinated.
• AAVantgarde BiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2024ReiThera manufactured and released Drug Substance and Drug Product for AAVB-081 gene therapy for Usher Syndrome Type 1B (LUCE-1 trial). Collaboration key in advancing dual-AAV technology for delivery of large MYO7A gene to patients.
• Sabin Vaccine InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2024Partnership for manufacturing and delivery of Marburg virus vaccine doses to Rwanda (~700 doses shipped October 2024) and Sudan ebolavirus vaccine development. Sabin sponsors clinical trials while ReiThera manufactures vaccine doses. Over 2,700 Marburg vaccine doses delivered to date. Also involved in Phase 2 Sudan ebolavirus trial in Uganda.
• MAGIC ConsortiumstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2023Next-generation Models And Genetic therapies for rare neuromuscular diseases. Four-year initiative jointly funded (~9.5M EUR) by Horizon Europe and UKRI with 15 international partners. ReiThera setting up Upstream and Downstream Process conditions for GMP-compatible manufacturing of AAV candidate retargeted to muscle cells. Latest consortium member: iMM (Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes).
• The Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and HarvardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2023Collaboration to develop GRAd-HIV vaccine candidate using ReiThera's GRAd vector and HIV T cell epitopes identified by the Ragon Institute. The Ragon Institute leads preclinical development while ReiThera performs vector engineering, GMP manufacture and release. Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
• IAVIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2023IAVI is the sponsor executing Phase I clinical trial (IAVI C114) to evaluate safety and immunogenicity of GRAd-HIV vaccine candidate. ReiThera manufactures the vaccine while IAVI conducts clinical trials in Africa.
• NouscomminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 August 2021SATIN project collaboration developing innovative therapeutic approaches for treatment-resistant cancers. Reithera generates and produces viral vectors (Adenovirus, MVA) expressing tumor neoepitopes identified by Nouscom.
• TakisminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2019VECTOPUR project collaboration for development of methods for production and purification of expression vectors for clinical use (AAV, HSV-1, MVA, DNA). Takis specializes in naked DNA vaccines while Reithera provides viral vector expertise.
• University of Naples Federico II (DISMET)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2019VECTOPUR project partner specializing in viral vectors for gene therapy. Department of Translational Sciences providing complementary expertise for expression vector development.
• TIGEM (Telethon Institute for Genetics and Medicine)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institution that developed AAVB-081 gene therapy technology for Usher Syndrome Type 1B. Technology now in clinical development by AAVantgarde spin-off with ReiThera manufacturing.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cobra Biologics (Charles River): Cobra Biologics, now part of Charles River Laboratories, is one of the leading viral vector and plasmid DNA CDMOs in Europe. It directly competes with ReiThera on adenoviral, AAV, and lentiviral GMP manufacturing for gene therapy and vaccine sponsors.
• Yposkesi: Yposkesi is a French CDMO specialized in GMP manufacturing of viral vectors (AAV, lentivirus) and cell therapies for gene therapy products. It is a near-direct peer to ReiThera in the European viral vector CDMO segment.
• Oxford BioMedica: Oxford BioMedica is a UK-based CDMO specializing in lentiviral vector manufacturing for cell and gene therapies, with established commercial-scale GMP capacity. It competes for the same gene-therapy CDMO contracts that ReiThera targets.
• Andelyn Biosciences: Andelyn Biosciences is a US-based viral vector CDMO focused on AAV and other viral vector GMP manufacturing for clinical and commercial gene therapy. It is a comparable scale-up viral vector peer in the same sponsor target market.
• Batavia Biosciences: Batavia Biosciences is a Netherlands-based CDMO specializing in viral vaccines and viral vector process development and GMP manufacturing. It directly mirrors ReiThera's adenoviral, MVA, and VLP platform focus for infectious disease and gene therapy.
• Genezen: Genezen is a US-based viral vector and gene therapy CDMO offering process development and GMP manufacturing across AAV, lentiviral, and other viral vector types. It competes with ReiThera for gene therapy sponsor engagements.

Broad incumbents

• AGC Biologics: AGC Biologics is a global, full-service CDMO with viral vector and gene therapy GMP manufacturing capabilities as part of a broader biologics portfolio. It serves similar customers as ReiThera but at greater scale and broader modality mix.
• Lonza Cell & Gene Technologies: Lonza is the largest global CDMO with a dedicated Cell & Gene Technologies business offering viral vector manufacturing, including AAV and lentiviral. It is a broader incumbent that overlaps with ReiThera in gene therapy CDMO contracts.
• Catalent (Novo Holdings): Catalent operates a large gene therapy CDMO business (including via Paragon) and provides viral vector manufacturing for AAV and lentivirus. It is a large incumbent competing for the same advanced therapy sponsors ReiThera targets.

Emerging players

• CEVEC Pharmaceuticals: CEVEC develops proprietary viral vector production systems (including for AAV and lentivirus) and offers related CDMO services. It is an emerging/specialty peer with partial overlap to ReiThera's AAV and lentiviral manufacturing offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ReitheraSrl
• Facebookfacebook.com/ReiThera-Srl-109389190757127
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/reitherasrl
• Instagraminstagram.com/reitherasrl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Reithera