SAFC and Novozymes Biopharma extend partnership in exclusive growth hormone distribution
The joint agreement allows SAFC to retain exclusive marketing and distribution rights which, according to SAFC spokesman Michael James, ensures customers in the biotech, pharmaceutical and vaccine industries of consistent supply minimising operational, regulatory and manufacturing risks.
James told in-PharmaTechnologist that, when added to cultures of CHO clones, HEK 293, Vero, PerC6, MDCK, fibroblasts and other compatible cell types, the factor works by specifically targeting and activating the type I IGF Receptor (IGF-IR).
“This results in greater activation of downstream signalling cascades responsible for proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis” he explained, adding: “Greater activation of these key pathways results in increased cell density, higher viability, and extended cell culture productivity.”
James went on to say: “It is exciting to see how the unique attributes of LONGR3 meet key development and manufacturing challenges as cell culture processes continue to become more sophisticated.”
Several US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines (EMA) and Japanese Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare (MHW) approved therapeutics already on the market are produced using cultures containing LONG R3.
The extended agreement secures SAFC’s position as one of the market leaders as a raw material supplier in the biologic market and, given the growth of biologics and vaccines markets, may prove to be a key revenue generator going forward.
