Spotlight Proteomics, Genomics & Microarrays Enhanced Albumin Fusion Technology that Tailors the Half-Life of Proteins
Novozymes Biopharma, part of Novozymes A/S, unveiled its enhanced next-generation albumin technology, which was developed in collaboration with the University of Oslo, Norway, one of the world’s leading institutions in the research of albumin variants and the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). Built on Novozymes’ original Albufuse platform, the proprietary Albufuse Flex technology has been designed to enable users to adapt and control the pharmacokinetics of their target protein or peptide with retained efficacy, ensuring flexibility and optimal use.
“Novozymes Biopharma is thrilled to introduce Albufuse Flex to the industry,” said Dave Mead, Business Development Director at Novozymes Biopharma. “Albumin is a natural and benign carrier molecule, and by having the unique ability to decrease or increase its half-life it will help our customers to develop novel drugs with improved pharmacokinetic properties for a wide range of applications.”It has been shown that by manipulating the interaction of albumin and IgGs with FcRn it is possible to tailor their half-life. The Albufuse Flex technology has been developed to facilitate manipulation based on this FcRn–albumin interaction, enabling a tunable half-life that offers control and flexibility and that, potentially, may improve overall treatment efficacy and patient compliance. In addition to protein- or peptide-based drugs, the enhanced technology also provides a delivery vehicle for small molecules, providing a broad scope of usability.
The enhanced half-life technology has been developed by Novozymes in collaboration with scientists at the University of Oslo. The innovative research developed by the university into the interaction between albumin variants and the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) was fundamental in the development of Albufuse Flex. Professor Inger Sandlie, Group leader at the Norwegian Centre of Excellence for Immune Regulation, said: “The efficacy of peptides, small proteins, and engineered antibody fragments is hampered by short serum half-life. Therefore, strategies to tailor their serum persistence and biodistribution are needed. The unique Albufuse Flex technology solves this problem and will result in enhanced treatment efficacy, more favorable dosing regimes, and improved patient compliance.” “The successful development of the Albufuse Flex technology illustrates the importance of industry and academic collaboration in turning scientific excellence into products that address medical needs. Novozymes has been an outstanding partner throughout the development process, and the company truly understands the potential of our academic science,” said Dr Jørund Sollid, Inven2 AS, the university technology transfer office.
Circle no. 355
Expanded Early Genotoxicity Screening Capability
Automated DNA Extraction and PCR Setup with the CheckExtractor
Greiner Bio-One has unveiled CheckExtractor. The CheckExtractor enables automated DNA extraction and PCR setup for products in the oCheck product line of Greiner Bio-One, such as PapilloCheck high-risk for assessing the risk of cervical cancer. The automated CheckExtractor extracts DNA from sample material. The advantages of automated DNA extraction for routine analysis are clear-cut the procedure is accurate, reliable and requires only minimum hands-on time. Up to 288 samples can be processed per day.
The CheckExtractor is suitable for different types of sample vessels containing sensitive materials, such as swabs, blood and urine. A touchscreen enables intuitive operation. The sample vessels and reagents are scanned automatically via barcodes, making it possible to closely observe the extraction status of all samples at any time. The individual steps in the analysis process are managed and partly controlled by the Laboratory Information and Management System (LIMS).
What's more, the CheckExtractor also enables automated PCR setup. During this process, samples are prepared so they only have to be taken from the machine and placed in the thermocycler. The CheckExtractor can be used for products in the oCheck product line, such as PapilloCheck high-risk. This DNA chip is used to de-termine high-risk HPV types, which can trigger cervical cancer.
Circle no. 356
Gentronix Ltd, the specialist genotoxicity assay provider, is pleased to announce the addition of the Ames MPF™ screen to its growing portfolio of genotoxicity screening services.
The bacterial mutagenicity testing service from Gentronix Ltd, offers the opportunity for early identification of compounds likely to produce positive results in the regulatory Ames mutagenicity test. This allows prioritisation of compounds for development, saving time and money. The microplate format requires only the low, milligram quantities of test article that are available in discovery and development.
Ames MPF™ is an adapted microfluctuation method for performing the Ames bacterial mutagenicity test particularly
useful for early screening applications. Hisˉ or Trpˉ tester strains are incubated with test samples and scored for colony growth, indicating reversion to His+ or Trp+ phenotype has occurred.
In this liquid format of the test, small cultures are scored in 384-well microplates using an indicator medium colour change (purple to yellow).
A test agent is assayed across 6 dose levels with concurrent zero-dose and positive controls, all performed in triplicate to provide statistical robustness. The test is operated both with and without S9 exogenous metabolism.
Dr Steve Beasley, Commercial Director at Gentronix, said: “Early identification of genotoxic compounds saves time and money. We have developed an exceptional capability with our proprietary GreenScreen HC and BlueScreen HC reporter based technology and see the introduction of our Ames MPF screening service as providing an excellent integrated approach to help our customers increase their research efficiency.”
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How to Choose a Microarray Service Provider
Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), provider of innovative clinical genetics and diagnostic solutions to advance molecular medicine, has recently published a white paper entitled ‘10 essential questions to ask your microarray service provider’. The document, which is available to download at OGT’s website, suggests the 10 most important questions a researcher should ask when identifying which microarray service best meets their experimental requirements.
Each service provider is different, offering varying levels of experience and expertise, with some catering for many different applications and others dedicated only to specific areas. This often includes the ability to offer consultancy on various aspects of a study, such as suggesting ways to optimise array and experiment design, sample screening processes and data analysis. In addition, providers use a variety of array platforms and quality control methods, each affecting their suitability for different project requirements. These factors are highly important when deciding on the best service provider to utilise.
The white paper provided by OGT will help researchers make better informed decisions when it comes to choosing a microarray service provider,
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European Patent Granted for Chemical Proteomics Applications
Kinaxo Biotechnologies GmbH recently announced that the European Patent Office has granted a patent entitled ‘Proteome-wide quantification of small molecule binding to cellular target proteins’ (EP2045332B1). The patent covers technologies exclusively marketed by Kinaxo under the trademarks Cellular Target Profiling®
, KinAffinity® and Epigenetics Target Profiling™. Patent applications in the
United States and Japan are pending. Kinaxo combines state-of-the-art chemical proteomics methods with the latest quantitative mass spectrometry techniques to profile small molecules in cell or tissue extracts. Profiling is performed against endogenously expressed proteins in the presence of cellular co-factors and native complex partners. This distinguishes Kinaxo’s profiling technologies from traditional biochemical assays using recombinant proteins. Cellular Target Profiling® prediction of off-target liabilities for compounds with an unclear target spectrum. KinAffinity®
high quality, native selectivity data for kinase inhibitors or epigenetic drugs. “The granted patent emphasizes our leadership in providing chemical proteomics solutions for research and development. Kinaxo’s extensive experience and world-class expertise deliver powerful insights into cellular small molecule target interactions. Such knowledge significantly supports decision-making at various stages of the drug development process,” said Henrik Daub, Kinaxo’s CTO and main inventor of the patent.
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enables comprehensive selectivity analysis and , and Epigenetics Target Profiling™ deliver
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