Transaction covers three therapeutic proteins from Rhein Minapharm Biogenetics.
Artes Biotechnology and Rhein Minapharm Biogenetics, a subsidiary of Minapharm, entered into a strategic collaboration to develop three therapeutic proteins. Artes will apply its Hansenula technology and know-how to the generation of production cell lines, analytical assay development, and lab-scale fermentation.
Additionally, Artes granted Minapharm a commercial license option to apply its technologies to the manufacturing and marketing of these therapeutic proteins. Artes also will be responsible for the 100 L scale production of a Minapharm protein based on an existing process using E. coli. Minapharm will carry out the pertinent process R&D, production, and commercialization of the therapeutic proteins.
The yeast strain Hansenula polymorpha is often an alternative to E. coli for producing therapeutic proteins or technical enzymes, explains Michael Piontek, founder and managing director of Artes. A number of products derived from Hansenula are already marketed worldwide, such as hepatitis B vaccine, insulin, interferon alpha 2a, and feed and food enzymes, he adds, noting that several others are in clinical trials.
