Abzena Launches AbZelect Platforms for Improving Cell Line Development Efficiency on the Pathway to IND

Abzena has launched AbZelect and AbZelectPRO cell line development (CLD) platforms for accelerating the generation of production cell lines for manufacture of antibodies and recombinant proteins. The platforms will enable Abzena to rapidly progress their customer’s complex biologic drug programs towards clinical trials while de-risking the journey to Investigational New Drug (IND) application.

AbZelect and AbZelectPRO platforms enable the rapid generation and selection of high-yielding mammalian CHO cell lines for therapeutic protein and recombinant vaccine production. Designed for traditional protein programs, such as antibodies, Abzena’s proprietary, license-free AbZelect, is optimized across the three key areas of vector, host cell line, and process. It provides improved cell doubling times, viable cell densities, and robust and stable cell lines. To achieve the highest production levels, AbZelectPRO combines AbZelect with ProteoNic’s 2G UNic premium vector technology. This boosts expression levels and generates higher producing, stable cell lines expressing proteins including bispecifics, fusion proteins, and other novel modalities.

By streamlining the CLD process, these platforms reduce timelines from DNA to research cell banks to 15 weeks with exceptional productivity levels. Both platforms provide cost efficiencies and optionality to de-risk biologics development, including rapid production of material, tech transfer, scale up and manufacture, all under a single organization.

Matthew Stober, Chief Executive Officer at Abzena, said “The higher productivity that’s achievable with the AbZelect and AbZelectPRO platforms means we can produce more drug substances per manufacturing run. These efficiencies will not only expand our capacity and help to reduce the cost of goods for our customers but also reduce the time it takes to get new and critical therapies to patients in need.”

Abzena is the leading end-to-end bioconjugate and complex biologics CDMO + CRO. From discovery through commercial launch, we support customers with fully integrated programs or individual services designed to de-risk and streamline the development of new treatments for patients in need. With the ability to tailor its strategy and customer experience to each project, Abzena develops and implements innovative solutions that enable biotech and biopharma companies to realize the full potential of their molecule and move medicines forward faster. The company has research, development, and cGMP facilities across locations in San Diego, CA, Bristol, PA, and Cambridge, UK. Abzena is owned by Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, one of the world’s leading private equity investors. For more information, visit abzena.com.