LEIDEN, Netherlands and PARSIPPANY, N.J., June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- DSM
Biologics and Crucell N.V. (Euronext, Nasdaq: CRXL; Swiss Exchange: CRX)
announced today that they have entered into an agreement with Avid
Bioservices, Inc. of Tustin, California to join their Vendor Network. Under
the terms of the agreement, Avid will be a pre-approved contract manufacturer
(CMO) for licensees of the PER.C6(R) cell line located in the western U.S.
Avid is the first U.S.-based contract manufacturer to be awarded this status.
Karen King, president of DSM Biologics notes, 'We are confident that
Avid's excellent reputation and service level will be instrumental in making
the PER.C6(R) technology available to licensees on the West Coast, bringing
our technology to a wider regional base as we continue to grow globally.'
Steven W. King, president of Avid Bioservices added, 'We are honored to
achieve the distinction of being the first pre-approved U.S.-based CMO to
manufacture proteins and antibodies using the PER.C6(R) cell line. The
PER.C6(R) technology is recognized throughout our industry as providing
important advantages compared to other platforms, including serum-free medium,
scalability and high productivity levels making the system an ideal fit for
Avid.'
Crucell and DSM last week announced a breakthrough in the production of
IgG antibodies using Crucell's PER.C6(R) technology. By employing the
PER.C6(R) human cell line and DSM's proprietary XD(TM) technology, a record
yield of over 27 grams per liter has been achieved.
The PER.C6(R) technology platform has been developed for the large-scale
manufacture of biopharmaceutical products such as recombinant proteins,
including monoclonal antibodies. Compared to conventional production
technologies, the strengths of PER.C6(R) technology lie in its excellent
safety profile, scalability and productivity under serum-free culture
conditions.
Other terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Avid Bioservices is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: PPHM).
About PER.C6(R) technology
Crucell's PER.C6(R) technology platform has been developed for the
large-scale manufacture of biopharmaceutical products such as recombinant
proteins including monoclonal antibodies. Compared to conventional production
technologies, the strengths of PER.C6(R) technology lie in its excellent
safety profile, scalability and productivity under serum-free culture
conditions.
About XD(TM) technology
DSM's XD(TM) technology has been developed as a proprietary system to
drive yield improvements in mammalian systems.
