BAGSVAERD, Denmark, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Novozymes and US-based Neugenesis enter joint research project to develop new method for production of antibodies. The research project combines Novozymes' core competencies in gene technology with Neugenesis' patented technology in monoclonal antibodies. The agreement includes an option to form a broader partnership if the research project is successful.
W. Dorsey Stuart, President and CEO of Neugenesis: "We are delighted to enter into this collaborative project with Novozymes. There is a powerful synergy between the technology platforms of the two companies. If this research collaboration is successful, the companies intend to explore opportunities for broader partnership."
Steen Riisgaard, President and CEO of Novozymes: "The partnership with Neugenesis is a natural consequence of our strategy to enter into areas outside the enzyme business such as pharmaceutical proteins. Partnerships like this one will often be Novozymes' way into new areas."
Synergies in Research and Development
The first goal will be to develop a production method for antibodies. If successful, this will be an important step in developing a faster, easier and more economic method for producing so-called monoclonal antibodies compared to existing mammalian cell technology.
Antibodies are used for treating diseases like breast cancer, leukaemia and respiratory infections. The demand for increased production capacity and new methods within this field is increasing rapidly as numerous new monoclonal antibodies will be ready for production during the next years.
Neugenesis Corporation is a privately held biotechnology company which has leveraged its fundamental research employing the filamentous fungus, Neurospora crassa, into commercial biotechnology applications. Neugenesis has generated simple, inexpensive, rapid and proprietary methods that can produce monoclonal antibodies; generate and rapidly identify new, unique gene sequences encoding commercially valuable products and; create combinatorial cellular arrays for rapid identification of commercially useful multi- component gene and protein variants. Neugenesis is a small biotech company based in San Carlos.
Novozymes A/S is a biotech-based world leader in enzymes and microorganisms for industrial use. Novozymes also applies its core competencies in selected pharmaceutical areas. With headquarters in Denmark, Novozymes employs more than 3,500 people. Novozymes is represented in 25 countries and sells enzymes and microorganisms in more than 130 countries. The company's B-shares are listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange. For further company information, visit Novozymes on the Internet at: novozymes.com |
