PROvendis assigns an option to Boehringer Ingelheim for technology evaluation

(openPR) Biopharmaceuticals are expensive and complex to produce - but a novel technique of the University of Bielefeld gives promise to improvement: The scientists developed the SilenciO-technology, which facilitates an increase of the rate of yield of up to 50 percent of the production of proteins for use as sophisticated therapeutics by modified CHO-cells.
Biopharmaceuticals are a strongly growing business area in pharma- and biotech-industry due to their vast level of turnover, and find mainly application in cancer therapy. However, the technological effort as well as the current methods of development and production are extremely challenging and costly.
Theraptutic proteins are predominantly produced in genetically modified CHO-(Chinese Hamster Ovary) cells, which are optimized for the production of antibodies. There is a strong demand on these cells, which are also used to produce other complex proteins with a good efficiency.

The inventors, Professor Thomas Noll and his group of the University of Bielefeld have now succeeded to develop a technique, which increases the production rates of antibodies and presumably also of other complex proteins. The SilenciO-technology is based on the down-regulation of a gene that is responsible for the growth and differentiation of cells. Thereby, the basic cellular metabolism is reduced, and vacant capacities can be used for the production of the protein of interest. An increased level of turnover means lower production costs for the biopharmaceuticals manufacturing companies.

The pharma company Boehringer Ingelheim evaluates this technology for biopharmaceutical production and has acquired an option of in-licensing form PROvendis.

PROvendis markets this invention on behalf of the University of Bielefeld, and offers further non-exclusive licenses to other industrial partners. This newly developed technique is protected by property rights the USA and Europe.

Contact Innovation Manager:
PROvendis GmbH
Dr. Jürgen Walkenhorst
Tel.: 0208 - 94 105 25
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