The collaboration aims at offering joint services for the expression of recombinant proteins with site-specific modification and labeling, such as PEGylation for half-life extension of proteins.
Almac developed a technology for site-specific C-terminal modification of recombinant proteins.
The technology can be applied to the generation of PEGylated proteins for half life extension, labeled proteins for PET and SPECT imaging, engineered and bispecific proteins and protein drug conjugates.
The Almac technology enables selection and control of the specific labeling site and generates a homogeneous labeled product in good yield with retained biological activity.
VTU Technology business development head Thomas Purkarthofer said Pichia pastoris platform enables the production of intein-fusion proteins at high yields and proved to be compatible with Almac’s site-specific protein modification technology.
"This collaboration between VTU Technology and Almac will help to further demonstrate the broad applicability of our Pichia protein production platform", Purkarthofer added.
Biopharmaceutical companies seeking fast-track protein expression and process development and subsequent site-specific protein modification will be benefited from Almac-VTU Technology alliance.
The integrated service platform merge VTU’s high-expression Pichia technology and speed in expression strain and process development along with Almac’s knowledge in peptide and protein engineering techniques for the improvement of drug products.