ProBioGen & Vaccitech Sign License Agreement


ProBioGen AG and Vaccitech, Ltd. jointly announced signing a license agreement in which Vaccitech will gain access to ProBioGen’s proprietary technology platform based on the AGE1.CR duck retina cell line for production of its viral vectored vaccines. Earlier work leading to the license confirmed that the AGE1.CR duck cell technology allows large-scale manufacturing with higher production yields and lower cost of goods compared to other poxvirus production technologies.

“We have developed the AGE1.CR designer cell line, the chemically defined media, and the process over many years, and have solved the main challenges for the production of highly attenuated poxvirus vectors. We are very pleased to see a strong industry demand for our platform and are convinced that Vaccitech’s highly innovative vaccine approach will greatly benefit from it,” ProBioGen’s CSO, Dr. Volker Sandig.

“We are delighted to work with ProBioGen and manufacture our innovative, universal flu vaccine, VTP-100, on the novel AGE1.CR.pIX duck cell line. Both safety and immunogenicity profiles of VTP-100 manufactured on the AGE1.CR.pIX duck cell line are comparable to those manufactured on CEF, used in previous trials. These positive results support AGE1.CR.pIX-based manufacture of the vaccine for future clinical studies,” added Vaccitech’s CEO, Dr. Thomas G. Evans.

ProBioGen is a premier, Berlin-based specialist for developing and manufacturing complex therapeutic glycoproteins viral vectors and vaccine technologies. Combining both state-of-the-art protein and virus platforms, based on ProBioGen’s CHO.RiGHT and AGE1.CR expression and manufacturing platforms, respectively, together with intelligent product-specific technologies, yield biologics with optimized properties.

Rapid and integrated cell line and process development, comprehensive analytical development, and following reliable GMP manufacturing is performed by a highly skilled and experienced team. All services and technologies are embedded in a total quality management system to assure compliance with international ISO and GMP standards (EMA/FDA).

Vaccitech is a spin-out of the University of Oxford and leader in the use of viral vectors to treat and prevent diseases that require CD8+ T cell induction, such as infectious diseases and some cancers. The company is developing products using its unique, proprietary vaccine technology platform, conceived at one of the most prestigious vaccine research institutes in the world, the Jenner Institute. The company is backed by investors that include Google Ventures, Sequoia China and Oxford Science Innovation. Vaccitech is engaged in Phase II clinical programs for universal influenza and prostate cancer, Phase I for MERS, and preclinical programs for 5 other therapeutic infectious disease and oncology indications, including HPV and HBV infections.