Artes and Rhein Minapharm Produce New Therapeutic Protein Target

Artes Biotechnology (Langenfeld, Germany) and Rhein Minapharm Biogenetics (Cairo, Egypt) have produced a new target of a therapeutic protein. This is the first result of a long-term research collaboration that was signed in January 2008. Consequently, the two companies have extended their collaboration through May 2009.

Artes applied its proprietary Hansenula technology platform to the generation of a therapeutic protein chosen by Rhein Minapharm that is typically produced in E coli. Rhein Minapharms’s new target is now produced from the Hansenula polymorpha platform at considerable higher yields and at reduced costs, compared to alternative bacterial or yeast systems. Because of these advantages, a number of products marketed worldwide—such as the hepatitis B vaccine, insulin, interferon, hirudin, and several feed and food enzymes—are now manufactured with the Hansenula technology. Several others also are in clinical trials in Europe and the US.

Under the terms of agreement, Artes handed over the production cell lines and received another milestone payment. Additionally, Artes and Rhein Minapharm extended their collaboration, now aiming at additional targets for Minapharm’s portfolio. Artes will be responsible for the generation of new production cell lines and will share the process research and development responsibility with Minapharm.