Genentech evaluates Star technology
Genentech is currently evaluating Dutch biotechnology company Crucell's Star technology for the production of antibodies and other proteins.
In a joint evaluation program that is funded by Genentech, the companies are investigating whether the technology can increase the production yields of Genentech's proprietary systems.
The first phase, now completed, evaluated production yields in screening assays. Based on these results, Genentech has decided to enter into a second phase, in which it will test the effectiveness of Star under scaled-down production conditions.
If the final phase of the evaluation proves successful, Genentech has an option to sign a non-exclusive Star license agreement, which will be the first license for the technology since Crucell's acquisition of ChromaGenics in March 2004.
'We are pleased that Genentech is evaluating whether our technology can improve it already highly sophisticated protein production systems,' said Dr Ronald Brus, president and chief executive officer of Crucell.