ARTES enters long-term accord with Minapharm

Germany's ARTES Biotechnology, which specializes in recombinant protein production from yeast expression systems, and Rhein Minapharm Biogenetics, a subsidiary of Egyptian firm Minapharm SAE, together announced the start of a strategic collaboration to develop three therapeutic proteins. Financial details were not disclosed.

ARTES will apply its proprietary production platform utilizing the yeast strain Hansenula polymorpha, an alternative to Escherichia coli for producing proteins or technical enzymes inexpensively, as well as know-how to the generation of production cell lines, analytical assay development and laboratory-scale fermentation. The German firm has granted Minapharm a commercial license option to apply its proprietary technologies to the manufacturing and marketing of these therapeutic proteins. In addition, ARTES will be responsible for the 100 L-scale production of a Minapharm protein based on an existing process using E. coli.

Minapharm will carry out the pertinent process R&D, production and commercialization of the therapeutic proteins. Wafik Bardissi, chief executive of Minapharm, said: "the agreement is a logical consequence of the encouraging results of our currently marketed Hansenula-derived products combining high-quality and cost-effectiveness. The anticipated outcome is of reciprocal value to Minapharm's process R&D program and the Hansenula technology platform in general."