ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies specialises in solving the toughest protein expression challenges using a tailor-made Schneider 2 (S2) system, derived from one of the most commonly used Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) cell lines.
The highly experienced scientists at ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies are driven by the idea that they can solve uniquely difficult protein challenges that no one else can. They are specialised in developing cell lines and processes based on a non-viral Drosophila S2 cells expression system.
”Over 250 proteins have so far been expressed by using our proprietary non-viral insect cell expression system, ExpreS2. It has demonstrated a success rate of 90% even for proteins where other systems have failed,” says Steen Klysner, PhD, CEO of ExpreS2ion Biotech Holding AB and ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies ApS in Hørsholm, Denmark.
One of the advantages of their system is that it’s very robust, which means that their products are easier to handle and more harmonious up-stream. The stable cell lines also contribute to higher yields and the system is generally faster than mammalian systems. ”Our platform perfectly supports all phases of drug discovery, R&D and manufacturing,” he adds.
The system has been developed since 2002 and has been commercially available since 2010. Recently, some of the projects using the ExpreS2 platform have entered clinical phase. In October 2016, ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies for instance announced that its collaboration partner, the Jenner Institute of the University of Oxford, initiated a Phase I/IIa clinical study to assess the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of the blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum malaria antigen RH5.1, which is produced with ExpreS2.
”In this particular case the Jenner Institute faced recombinant protein challenges which could not be solved before they applied our protein expression platform ExpreS2,,” Steen Klysner comments.
Process and Production Tool
ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies sell research licences to both companies and academic research labs and they want ExpreS2 to be identified as a process and production tool and to enter their customers’ processes at an early stage.
”Market wise, Europe and the US are closest to where we are and our most recent licence was signed with the American company VaxInnate. However, Asia is clearly rising and emerging as an interesting market. In Asia, good entry points to the individual markets are the many fine science parks that have been established throughout the continent, offering both state-of-the-art equipment as well as good contacts.”
The entry point doesn’t necessarily have to be a company or a university. Organisations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO and others offer grants to companies fighting Zika, malaria and other diseases. ”As soon as there’s an indication relevant to what we do, we apply for grants,” says Steen Klysner.
