BAC and Octapharma extend recombinant Factor IX collaboration
BAC, a Dutch provider of antibody-based affinity purification technology, has signed a licence agreement with Octapharma, a Swiss biopharmaceutical company, to use BAC's anti-Factor IX CaptureSelect affinity ligand in the large-scale purification of recombinant Factor IX (FIX).
BAC, a Dutch provider of antibody-based affinity purification technology, has signed a licence agreement with Octapharma, a Swiss biopharmaceutical company, to use BAC's anti-Factor IX CaptureSelect affinity ligand in the large-scale purification of recombinant Factor IX (FIX).
Octapharma produces FIX for the treatment of bleeding in Haemophilia B. The agreement follows on from successful completion of feasibility studies.
The two companies have also embarked on a new discovery programme under which BAC will develop a CaptureSelect affinity ligand for the purification of recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), which has applications in oncology and haematology.
Under the terms of the FIX agreement Octapharma will use BAC's anti-FIX ligand for the purification of FIX from mammalian cell culture.
Under the G-CSF agreement BAC will perform ligand discovery and development to provide an anti-G-CSF ligand, which will then undergo feasibility studies at Octapharma.
Factor IX is a product for the prophylaxis and treatment of bleeding in Haemophilia B, an X-linked recessive blood disorder that affects around 1 in 30,000 men.
G-CSF is a hormone that stimulates bone marrow to produce white blood cells and stem cells.
"It is important for Octapharma to have access to a technology for the development of affinity resins that are completely free of animal-derived components," said Kim Bjoernstrup, vice chairman of Octapharma Group. "This is important for us to be able to fulfil our continuous intentions to provide a safe product portfolio."
