Proteo commissions Eurogentec for Elafin manufacture

Published: 22-Apr-2005

Proteo Biotech's anti-inflammatory protein, Elafin, is set to be subjected to clinical testing in the near future, taking it a step closer to licensing.


Proteo Biotech's anti-inflammatory protein, Elafin, is set to be subjected to clinical testing in the near future, taking it a step closer to licensing.

However, the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) production of Elafin for the upcoming trials has to comply with a large number of rules and regulations before this can take place, and Proteo has appointed Eurogentec of Belgium for this purpose. Walter J. Thomsen, ceo, Proteo. said that the manufacture of Elafin to GMP standards would be too complex for Proteo to perform itself.

Eurogentec has 290 employees and the necessary infrastructure and experience to produce biologically and pharmaceutically active substances quickly and in sufficient amounts for the approaching clinical trials. The collaboration was sealed on 23 March, and production is due to begin in mid-April to be completed in the first week of July.

Elafin is of human origin and is one of the most potent inhibitors of human elastase and proteinase 3, making it a compound with high biological activity and with less unforeseeable side effects and insignificant allergenic potential compared to most synthetic alternatives. The results of pre-clinical trials show great promise in the treatment of tissue and muscle damage, with Elafin reducing damage to heart muscles caused by blood supply deficiencies, indicating its applicability in the treatment of cardiac infarction.

Proteo, founded in 2000, specialises in biological and medical research, and the development of human derived agents, especially against inflammation. The company has established its own pilot plant and expertise in scale-up of recombinant protein production.

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