STELLENBOSCH, South Africa,
July 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
AzarGen Biotechnologies (Pty) Ltd (Stellenbosch, South Africa) announced that it has received
grant status for the patent application: SYNTHETIC PROMOTER
CONSTRUCT FOR TRANSGENE EXPRESSION (US9670497) from the US Patent
office.
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With special emphasis on the genetic enhancement of tobacco for
high-value compound production, AzarGen's synthetic promoters have
been designed for high level transgene expression in transient and
transgenic systems. AzarGen aims to further expand the utility of
these synthetic promoters in various dicot and monocot plant
species.
AzarGen has recently been featured on CB Insights' top global
synthetic biology start-up companies market map list. AzarGen also
recently expanded its collaboration with iBio, Inc. (NYSE MKT:
IBIO), a leader in developing plant-based biopharmaceuticals, for
the development of a "bio-better" version of a therapeutic
monoclonal antibody product for the South African market.
"For this project, AzarGen's synthetic promoters are being
tested with the objective of including the top performer in iBio's
proprietary protein production vector for expression of AzarGen's
candidate therapeutic monoclonal antibody," said Robert Erwin, iBio's President. "We are
confident that by working together, AzarGen and iBio will succeed
in providing an important "bio-better" version of a therapeutic
monoclonal antibody for the South African market."
"With the anticipated success in combining iBio and AzarGen's
advanced genetic engineering and synthetic biology technologies for
plant-made pharmaceutical applications, we expect to grow our
biological drug product pipeline for several therapeutic areas."
said Dr. Mauritz Venter, CEO of
AzarGen. "In addition to applying plant-based synthetic biology
techniques for healthcare, we aim to play a role in food security
and bio-fuel sectors."
About iBio, Inc.
iBio, a leader in developing plant-based biopharmaceuticals,
provides a range of product and process development, analytical,
and manufacturing services at the large-scale development and
manufacturing facility of its subsidiary iBio CMO LLC in Bryan,
Texas. The facility houses laboratory and pilot-scale
operations, as well as large-scale automated hydroponic systems
capable of growing over four million plants as "in process
inventory" and delivering over 300 kilograms of therapeutic protein
pharmaceutical active ingredient per year. Facility capacity can be
doubled by adding additional plant growth equipment in a space
already reserved for that purpose.
iBio applies its technology for the benefit of its clients and
the advancement of its own product interests. The Company's
pipeline is comprised of proprietary candidates for the treatment
of a range of fibrotic diseases including idiopathic pulmonary
fibrosis, systemic sclerosis, and scleroderma. IBIO-CFB03, based on
the Company's proprietary gene expression technology, is the
Company's lead therapeutic candidate being advanced for IND
development.
Further information is available at: www.ibioinc.com
About AzarGen Biotechnologies (Pty) Ltd
AzarGen is a biotechnology company focused on developing human
therapeutic proteins using advanced genetic engineering and
synthetic biology techniques in plants. The company's lead product
is a recombinant human surfactant protein (based on rh-SPB)
targeted for various respiratory disease conditions. AzarGen has
developed proprietary synthetic DNA promoters for various
expression platform applications in plant-made pharmaceuticals,
synthetic biology and GMO-crop improvement. The AzarGen management
team is supported by an experienced advisory board for strategic
guidance and intellectual property management. Based in
Stellenbosch, South Africa,
AzarGen has made great progress to move a portfolio of proprietary
biopharmaceutical products forward with support from South Africa's Industrial Development
Corporation (IDC).
Further information is available at www.azargen.com
Contact: Mauritz Venter,
+27218082764, mauritz@azargen.com
SOURCE AzarGen Biotechnologies