VaxyGen & Georgia State join for protein purification services
GSU Research Foundation is licensing its protein production and purification technique to VaxyGen Manufacturing Services. Using the method VaxyGen will help clients with optimization, purification and production of their proteins.
“The GSU team has demonstrated their novel ability and consistent access in addressing and resolving these very challenging technical issues”, David Dodd, president, CEO and co-founder of VaxyGen, said.
GSU professors George Pierce and Sid Crow will also become scientific and technical advisors to Georgia-based VaxyGen. Pierce has researched the use of microbial-based systems for production of chemicals with greater purity and activity.
“We're also looking at the whole idea of asking the critical questions as early as possible in regards to practicality, scalability and reliability. The sooner that you ask those questions, the quicker you'll know if you've got something you can live with and use”, Pierce said.
Building businesses
VaxyGen Manufacturing Services offers process optimization, scale-up, and production of proteins and vaccines for Phase I and II trials. The unit’s parent company, VaxyGen Holdings, was founded in May 2011 and runs two other businesses, Assay Services and Vaccines.
In June the vaccines unit inked a strategic collaboration with the Serum Institute of India (SII). The deal gave VaxyGen exclusive rights to commercialise SII pipeline products in North America and Europe.
“This agreement establishes VaxyGen Vaccines as a new operating competitor in the North American and European vaccine markets, one that is primarily focused on seeing 100 per cent immunisation achieved through the delivery of affordable, innovative vaccines”, Dodd said.
