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news.Biotechnology Application Centre (BAC), a provider of antibody-based affinity purification technology, has extended its license agreement with LFB Biotechnologies, to cover the use of its anti-Factor VIIa CaptureSelect affinity ligand in the large-scale purification of recombinant human Factor VIIa (rhFVIIa).
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LFB Biotechnologies began working with BAC in May 2008 to develop a custom-designed affinity ligand for the purification of the rhFVIIa product that it developed in partnership with GTC Biotherapeutics.
Both the entities have now entered into a license agreement to use the custom ligand in larger-scale production processes. As per the terms of the agreement, LFB Biotechnologies is expected to have license to use BAC’s anti-FVIIa CaptureSelect ligand for the purification of rhFVIIa from transgenic animals expressing the recombinant protein during lactation.
The CaptureSelect ligand has demonstrated ability to achieve high purity in downstream processing, and has the potential to enhance the cost reduction benefits of the transgenic expression system developed by LFB Biotechnologies and GTC Biotherapeutics.
Laurens Sierkstra, CEO of BAC, said: “Progressing from feasibility study to this scale-up stage is a critical time for both BAC and LFB Biotechnologies, which will be supported by the close and successful relationship that has developed between our two companies. Although the flexible nature of the CaptureSelect platform means that we can produce a ligand for any protein product, it has been extremely interesting to work with such a novel expression system.”
Sami Chtourou, director of technology platforms and innovation of LFB Biotechnologies, said: “This collaboration with BAC for the development of a specific ligand for our recombinant factor VIIa is a significant step for the downstream process of this strategic project.”
Factor VIIa is an essential protein for certain blood coagulation disorders. Recombinant FVIIa is used to treat and prevent bleeding episodes in hemophilia A and B patients with inhibitors to Factor VIII or Factor IX, and in patients with acquired hemophilia. It is also increasingly being used to treat uncontrollable hemorrhages.