PharmAthene to use PER.C6 technology in recombinant bioscavenger production

According to the deal, PharmAthene will use the technology in the production of recombinant butyrylcholinesterase (rBChE) bioscavenger.

rBChE absorbs toxins including organophosphorous compounds and certain pesticides with the potential to cause irreversible neurological damage.

PharmAthene president and chief executive officer Eric Richman said the advantages of PER.C6 platform includes the opportunity for higher production yields with reduced production costs and the capability for rapid scale up in the event of a chemical weapons attack.

"Also, since it is based on a recombinant human cell line, the PER.C6 platform should enable a final product with a pharmacokinetic profile that more closely matches the naturally occurring butyrylcholinesterase found in human plasma," Richman added.

The human, cell-based manufacturing system is designed to facilitate the production of quality and cost effective biological products.