Selexis Expands Immuno-Oncology Alliance with Agenus

Selexis, a provider of mammalian cell-line development technology, announced on Jan. 9, 2019 that it has signed additional commercial license agreements (CLAs) with Agenus, a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company with a pipeline of immune-modulating antibodies, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapies. 

Under the new CLAs, Agenus will leverage Selexis’ modular SUREtechnology Platform for the production of its therapeutic proteins. Selexis reports that its SUREtechnology Platform improves the way mammalian cells are used in the discovery, development, and manufacturing of recombinant proteins and drugs. The platform comprises four major components: whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics, advanced gene transfection technology for procedures, media and feed strategies, and a proprietary Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cell line. Selexis reports that the platform provides significant advantages over traditional approaches that enable speed, high-yield, stability, and flexibility.

Headquartered in Lexington, MA, Agenus focuses on combination approaches for antibody therapeutics, proprietary cancer vaccine platforms, and adoptive cell therapies through its AgenTus Therapeutics subsidiary. The company has a suite of antibody discovery platforms and a GMP manufacturing facility with the capacity to support early phase clinical programs.

“Our fully integrated capabilities, from early discovery of protein therapeutics to GMP manufacturing, allows us to rapidly produce and clinically test promising new drug candidates thereby delivering innovation with speed. A critical step in this process is the in-house development of commercially viable cell-lines expressing novel and complex proteins,” said Alex Duncan, PhD, chief technology officer at Agenus, in the release. “We have successfully used the Selexis’ platform to drive our lead anti-CTLA4 (AGEN1884) and anti-PD1 (AGEN2034) programs and are excited to partner with them to advance our novel single agent and multi-specific antibody programs.”

Source: Selexis