SGI-DNA has selected BioCat to distribute its protein expression platform Vmax Express, which it says is more rapid than traditional expression systems.
Japan's Astellas has agreed to carry out clinical trials of a vaccine for serious diarrhoeal diseases which does not need to be refrigerated or injected and is produced in transgenic rice plants.
Boehringer Ingelheim has licensed a microbial expression technology from Vectron Biosolutions for use with its own molecules and for customers through its CMO business.
A new genetically modified strain of E. Coli cells could create enough protein for downstream production without the need for the challenging endotoxin removal steps that are currently employed.
Producing conjugate vaccines in recombinant E coli is potentially simpler and more cost-effective than alternatives, say researchers, but the method suffers from low yields.
Wacker Chemie AG has expanded its biologics production facility, adding GMP manufacturing capacity and a process development building in response to customer demand.
Basel-headquartered Roche has paid fellow Swiss firm Lonza $290m (€203m) for its Singapore biologics plant in a bid to secure long-term manufacturing capacity for biotech cancer drugs.
