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Rentschler Biopharma SE, a world-class contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for biopharmaceuticals, and Horizon Discovery, a global leader in the application of gene editing and gene modulation for cell line engineering, announced the signing of a commercial license agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Horizon’s CHOSOURCE™ platform will be used in combination with Rentschler Biopharma’s novel in-house process for cell line development for difficult-to-express proteins. Horizon’s gene-edited Glutamine Synthetase (“GS”) knockout Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) K1 cGMP-compliant cell line will complement Rentschler Biopharma’s existing service offering, providing a royalty-free, state-of-the-art alternative for the production of highly complex proteins. This will support researchers from early drug development through commercial manufacturing.
By entering into the agreement, Horizon and Rentschler Biopharma aim to empower organizations of all sizes, from large pharmaceutical companies to clinical stage biotechs and early stage startups, to drive efficiencies in biotherapeutic manufacturing. Rentschler Biopharma’s integrated platform process, together with Horizon’s cell line, will provide innovative and tailored solutions to translate complex medical research into outstanding biopharmaceuticals. This will elevate the standard of protein expression and allow clients to access a robust and flexible approach for designer protein therapeutics, from concept to market.
Dr. Frank Mathias, CEO of Rentschler Biopharma, commented: “At Rentschler Biopharma, we consistently strive to offer our clients optimal and truly integrated solutions across the entire value chain. We achieve this by our own means as well as through strong partnerships. The new collaboration with Horizon, a very renowned company in the area of cell line engineering with an outstanding track record, significantly broadens our fit-for-purpose approach.”
Terry Pizzie, CEO of Horizon Discovery, commented: “We are very pleased to be working with such a well-respected organization within the field of biomanufacturing. This agreement brings together two world-class companies in biomanufacturing and further supports our ethos of enabling access to the CHOSOURCE platform in such a way as to empower organizations of all sizes to drive efficiencies in development and production of biotherapeutics.”
About Rentschler Biopharma SE
Rentschler Biopharma is a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), focused exclusively on client projects. From its headquarters in Laupheim, Germany, and its site in Milford, MA, USA, Rentschler Biopharma offers process development and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals as well as related consulting activities, including project management and regulatory support. Rentschler Biopharma’s high quality is proven by its long-standing experience and excellence as a solution partner for its clients. A high-level quality management system, a well-established operational excellence philosophy and advanced technologies ensure product quality and productivity at each development and manufacturing step. In order to offer optimal solutions across the entire value chain, the company has entered into a strategic alliance with Leukocare AG for formulation development. Rentschler Biopharma is a family-owned company with about 1,000 employees.
About Horizon Discovery Group plc
Horizon Discovery Group plc drives the application of gene editing and gene modulation within the global life science market – supporting scientists on the path from research to therapy. Built upon more than a decade of experience in the engineering of cell lines, Horizon offers an unmatched portfolio of tools and services to help scientists gain a greater understanding of gene function, identify genetic drivers behind human disease, deliver biotherapeutics, cellular and gene therapies for precision medicine as well as develop and validate diagnostic workflows. Horizon’s solutions enable almost any gene to be altered, or its function modulated, in human and other mammalian cell lines. The Company’s customers include many of the world’s foremost academic institutes, global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as clinical diagnostic laboratories. Insight into the challenges faced by these organizations enables the Company to focus efforts on development of innovative solutions that not only differentiate the Company’s offering, but also fuel development of the next wave of precision medicines. Horizon is headquartered in Cambridge, UK with offices in USA and Japan. The Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market under the ticker HZD.
About Horizon’s CHOSOURCE™ platform
Horizon’s proprietary CHOSOURCE™ platform, consisting of a GS knockout CHO K1 cell line combined with a dual promoter expression vector, is now established as an industry standard for host cell line development, facilitating cell line selection and optimization of costs and production processes. A comprehensive cell line history and a clear intellectual property position ensure freedom to operate in biotherapeutic production. Horizon’s robust CHO GS knockout host cell line provides an optimal expression system with an excellent performance record.
