Flow Eighteen38 to double protein purification capacity

08-Mar-2022 - Last updated on 08-Mar-2022 at 14:29 GMT

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Flow Eighteen38, a protein sciences division created to facilitate and accelerate antibody characterization and protein purification projects, has announced a €5m ($5.58m) investment into its protein production and biophysical characterization capabilities and services from its parent company, CRO FairJourney Biologics S.A.

The investment will be used to create a dedicated, fit-for-purpose laboratory with bespoke equipment to double protein purification capacity. The new facilities will accommodate over 15 high-end Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography systems (ÄKTAs), individually optimized to scale-up custom production as well as support unique partner requirements and fast track standard productions.

The investment will also streamline Quality Control with the purchase of high throughput, high precision equipment, including the LabChip GX Touch for CE-SDS, the Thermo Scientific Vanquish UHPLC, the FDA-licensed Endosafe nexgen-MCS for endotoxin testing and two BioAccord LC-MS Systems for biopharmaceuticals analysis.

The funding will also drive further recruitment to service the increased demand for production and characterization services, as well as Flow Eighteen38’s cold storage and logistics solutions, and continued supply of quality antibody reagents that comply with new EU recommendations.

Founded in 2012, FairJourney Biologics is focused on the discovery and optimization of antibodies. It launched the Flow Eighteen38 division in February last year as its protein sciences division: eying up a growing market for antibody therapeutics and consequently an increased need for rapid purification and comprehensive antibody characterization to support lead selection and enable a swift transition to manufacturing. The division caters for a range of customers: from research institutions and start-ups to global biotech and biopharma companies.

Teresa Barata, Head of Protein Science Division at Flow Eighteen38 said: “We are thrilled for this new stage of Flow Eighteen38. The new investment will enable us to continue to support our clients at the various stages of the discovery process and extend it to pre-CMC stages, for faster and successful biotherapeutics development.”

Flow Eighteen38 offers antibody production, from 96-well plates to deliver micrograms up to large scale, to deliver grams. The new services also comprise technologies for further functional and biophysical characterization including mass spectrometry, SPR, DLS, SLS, cIEF, CE-SDS, and chromatography methods. The services include antigen production, for use as immunogens and to generate new antibodies and reagents for research.