CSL Behring has chosen albufuse™ technology because it has been shown to increase the circulatory half-life of a wide range of therapeutically relevant proteins, leading to increased bioavailability and therefore less frequent administration. The combined expression and production process eliminates the need for additional post-production chemical derivatisation, such as PEGylation, making albufuse™ technology the natural choice for protein half-life extension. Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated albufuse™ efficacy with a number of therapeutically relevant proteins.
“We have chosen Novozymes’ albufuse™ as we believe it offers unique product and patient benefits to enhance our current protein therapeutic pipeline. As we recently presented at the meeting of the American Society of Hematology, results from recent pre-clinical studies are encouraging,” commented Val Romberg, Senior Vice President of R&D at CSL Behring.
Pre-clinical data presented at the American Society of Hematology 49th Annual Meeting and Exposition suggests that fusion of Factor VIIa (FVIIa) to recombinant human albumin, using albufuse™, significantly extends the circulatory half-life of the protein. In the study, the fusion protein (rVIIa-FP) was shown to extend the half-life of the recombinant protein 6-to-9 fold compared to wild type (rFVIIa). Additionally, rVIIa-FP demonstrated a biologic activity comparable to wild type rFVIIa. Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) is used to control bleeding episodes in hemophilia patients.
Dr. David Mead, Novozymes Business Development Director in the UK commented: “We are delighted to have an opportunity to work with CSL Behring. This license further demonstrates Novozymes’ long-term commitment to becoming a strategic partner to the global pharmaceutical industry. The applications of albufuse™ technology are substantial and growing, with one of our licensee’s initiating a Phase III clinical trial with their interferon based fusion candidate. We are confident that the license with CSL Behring will further demonstrate that albufuse™ is a key technology for drug development.”
For more information about albufuse™ technology visit: http://biopharma.novozymes.com
About Novozymes: Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation. Together with customers across a broad array of industries, we create tomorrow’s industrial biosolutions, improving our customers' business and the use of our planet's resources.
With over 700 products used in 130 countries, Novozymes’ bioinnovations improve industrial performance and safeguard the world’s resources by offering superior and sustainable solutions for tomorrow’s ever-changing marketplace.
Novozymes’ natural solutions enhance and promote everything from removing trans-fats in food, to advancing biofuels to power the world tomorrow. Our never-ending exploration of nature’s potential is evidenced by over 4,500 patents, showing what is possible when nature and technology join forces.
Our 4,500+ employees working in research, production and sales around the world are committed to shaping business today and our world tomorrow.
Novozymes is quoted on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange (NZYMB). Read more at www.novozymes.com.
About CSL Behring: CSL Behring is a global leader in the plasma protein biotherapeutics industry. Passionate about improving the quality of patients' lives, CSL Behring manufactures and markets a range of safe and effective plasma-derived and recombinant products and related services. The company's therapies are used in the treatment of immune deficiency disorders, hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, other bleeding disorders and inherited emphysema. Other products are used for the prevention of hemolytic diseases in the newborn, in cardiac surgery, organ transplantation and in the treatment of burns. The company also operates one of the world's largest plasma collection networks, ZLB Plasma. CSL Behring is a subsidiary of CSL Limited, a biopharmaceutical company with headquarters in Melbourne, Australia. For more information, visit www.cslbehring.com.
